Make Sense Remodeling
Adding Sparkle and Sophistication to a Compact Master Bath
We were challenged by our client to design and build a master bath on a very tight budget. With creative design, careful material selection and multiple bids we were able to exceed the client's expectations by answering all their needs plus adding sparkle and sophistication to their compact bathroom.
We started our project by selecting Cosentino "Eco", a sustainable counter top material that uses recycled glass. These are usually sold in larger slabs and wouldn't have been practical for our smaller counter top, however, with several phone calls, we were able to find a remnant piece that worked perfectly for us. The color of the attached master bedroom's walls coordinated nicely with the green glass in the counter top.
Again using clues from the master bedroom, we noted the client's iron bed had crystal finials at each of its 4 posts. That was the inspiration for the cut glass knobs and Vienna Full Spectrum crystal light bar. Continuing our glass color and sparkle theme, we incorporating iridescent 4" x 4" glass tiles as well as a fun bubble accent tile- both from Daltile. Daltile can be a go-to company for price conscious tiles. We used their white octagon mosaic for the tile floor and their white 4" x 6" tile for the shower walls. The 20" x 20" floor tiles were a special purchase at Home Depot. At 20" x 20", the floor tiles could be laid quickly and therefore saved on labor. Large format floor tiles can create a nice background to other materials as the pattern of the grout lines competes less than the increased amount of grout lines of smaller tiles. The floor tiles also have a slight texture which helps in anti-slip safety.
Using a less expensive Delta faucet from their Dryden collection allowed for great styling in the faucets. The self rimming sink by Kohler also adds some nice style with its more traditional lines. Using a self rimming sink versus an under mount sink can be a budget conscious selection as the countertop fabricator did not have to finish the countertop edge around the sink.
The existing wall cabinet was freshened by a nice coat of Benjamin Moore paint, new chrome hinges and a cut glass knob. Even though the mirror was custom made at a local frame shop, its cost was under $200. Its beading detail picks up on the bubble accent tile and by custom ordering we were able to maximize the size we used. The prior sink was a pedestal so the homeowner not only was limited on counter top area but had no drawer for her makeup storage. The custom vanity cabinet allowed the client to stow her cosmetics in a drawer as well as maximizing counter top space. We had to keep the sink cabinet raised so the cats could access their litter box which is placed in a floor space niche under the wall cabinet above.
In the interest of maximizing the usability of the small square footage and to not conflict with the shower door operation, we removed the swinging door and replaced it with a pocket door.
Our clients were quite happy with the results- expressing their pleasure by posting their positive comments and high ratings for us on Angie's List.
Important Remodeling Advice to Help Get You Started
You've made the big decision to finally update your home and you think maybe you'll start in the kitchen. Now what? To make sure you spend your hard-earned cash wisely, start by looking at the bigger picture and ask yourself some important, financially-based questions. What is your longtime goal for your home? Do you plan to sell it in a couple years, stay for several years then move on, or, perhaps stay and "age in place"? Answering these questions and more can lead you down a different path when designing your kitchen.
Have you thought about the ROI (return on investment) so you don't overspend for your neighborhood? Remodeling Magazine publishes a “Cost vs. Value Report” every November, which can be very helpful when setting some realistic budget figures based on both mid-range and upscale projects. Of course, the report is an excellent source for giving you the percentage of ROI for most home remodeling projects
OK, so now you've done your financial homework and made some informed decisions. You're ready to start working on your kitchen plan, right? Well, not quite yet. Time to ask yourself some more important questions about your entire home, not just your kitchen.
First, does the existing configuration of your home work for you? Would your home function better if you opened up that wall to the dining or living area? Do you need to add more square footage to the kitchen by reconfiguring an adjoining room or closet? Will the same flooring be used throughout your home, so you may need to purchase all the material now and install the rest of it in the next phase? Would you like direct access to the outside from the kitchen? It's much easier and less expensive to look at the big picture now than wished you had later.
Using this same comprehensive thoughtful process, take a good look at your existing kitchen space. Start asking yourself how your kitchen is really working for you. Realize you have options, as the current configuration can be changed. Items such as the appliances don't necessarily need to go where they are now or be the same size. Perhaps the cabinets can be reconfigured to suit your needs better. For example, drawers are easier to use for pots and pans than shelves. Organizational inserts from companies like Rev-A-Shelf can be utilized to maximize the space available to you. Also, keep in mind that doors and windows can be moved if the gain offsets the cost. Of course consulting with a professional designer can help you think of things you wouldn't necessarily think of, but this gives you a good start.
Having a comprehensive plan ahead of time, takes time. But, it forces you to make thoughtful unpressured decisions. You are less likely to make mistakes or wish you'd considered another option for something when it is too late or too expensive to correct. With the right plan your project can give you a greater ROI, run more smoothly and will be more likely to stay on budget.
Reworking a 35-year-old Master Bathroom
We're all pretty conscious of the way we are spending our money these days. And you certainly want to make the best "bang for your dollar" decisions. Based on those two simple premises, which you will find are reoccurring themes, let's talk about a master bath I recently remodeled for an investment property.
First it was small and it didn't function well in its current layout. If you look at the before picture you can see the wasted space in the left corner- didn't make any sense when it was built 3+ decades ago and it doesn't now. I get a lot of requests for large showers in master baths so I decided to rearrange this space for a large and dramatic shower.
Before
After
Don't shy away from moving plumbing. In most cases it just isn't that big of a deal. To make up for the now twice the size shower, I made sure the vanity base had good storage- 2 big drawers plus a door. Installing good lighting, a much needed ventilation fan and new double towel bar and you have a highly functional handsome new master bath.
Budget stretchers on this project- the tile, sink and vanity base came from Home Depot. My tile setters took 18" x 18" travertine tiles (about $2.00 sq. ft.) and used them in their full format on the floor, cut them in 4" x 4" for the shower floor and 4" x 16" pieces for the shower walls. The glass and stone mosaic tiles were about $12/sq. ft. I called 5 shower door companies to get the best price on the shower door enclosure and saved $150 from the top bid.
Check out today's article in the Napa Valley Register
Today the Napa Valley Register published an article highlighting my career as an interior designer and general contractor. Please take a look!
The article details the work I've done over the past 20 years to ensure that our projects take our clients' visions and make them a reality--on time and on budget. It also discusses the work we've been doing recently to transform distressed houses into neighborhood gems. At every job, I work with my team to consider the functionality of the space, as well as the design details.
I'm really proud of the work I get to do with my team. The best part that we get to make our clients happy.
To read the full article, please click here: http://napavalleyregister.com/lifestyles/home-and-garden/article_d870f32c-0a50-11e0-91c3-001cc4c03286.html
Getting it right the first time
How many times have you entered your home, liked the general look of it….and yet felt there was something about it that just wasn’t right, you’d missed the mark somehow. Nothing that you can put your finger on, but it bothered you.
Sometimes, the thing that is bothering you in your home ends up being the new sofa, that turns to be wrong for the room. Or you've invested in new recessed lights but they didn't turn out like you'd envisioned.
Hi, my name is Judy Schindler and welcome to my brand new blog. I’ll be sharing suggestions and solutions to common situations I’ve found for my clients to help you skip costly mistakes and to get it right the first time, thereby saving you time, money and frustration.
My greatest joy as a general contractor and interior designer is to make my client happy with the end product. By recreating a specific space or an entire home, I want my clients to feel surrounded by things they treasure, and to always love the feeling of coming home to their uniquely personal space. Let's work towards getting you to feel that way about your home too.
