It’s often reasonable to spend more than you planned; after all, you’re going to be living with this decision daily for many years to come. Bearing in mind that a good kitchen countertop, if maintained properly, will last indefinitely, it’s smarter to target your ideal material first and then try to find a version of it that fits your budget. The cost of a kitchen countertop varies widely and also depends on your local suppliers and builders.

Key Takeaways:

• Serving as both kitchen workhorse and showpiece, today’s countertops play a demanding role. Site of all food preparation, they’re expected to be durable (stain-proof, scratch-proof, and heat-proof), beautiful, and (best-case scenario) economical.
• The most critical part of your countertop decision should come from an assessment of how you and your family use your kitchen.
• It’s extremely helpful to have an idea of how many linear feet of countertop you will need, as well as any required dimensions for your space that aren’t standard. This way, as you gather information, you can create your own ballpark figures for each material and make comparisons. For design and budgetary reasons, you might decide to use two different materials.

“It’s extremely helpful to have an idea of how many linear feet of countertop you will need, as well as any required dimensions for your space that aren’t standard.”

http://www.remodelista.com/posts/remodeling-101-five-questions-to-ask-when-choosing-your-kitchen-countertops/

If you want to be in a house that makes you happy for a long time, then there are some things to think about. You want to create something you love and not worry too much about what other people think of it. A lot of people want to avoid things that will be dated and will cost them a lot of money.

Key Takeaways:

• This is the time of the year when you’ll likely run across a lot of design articles about what’s in for the new year and what’s out. They are always fun to read and I admit I do enjoy being somewhat in the know about design trends.
• I think the concern many people have when they are decorating or remodeling a home is how they can avoid decisions that will quickly be dated, while still wanting to make a house feel fresh and personal.
• If much of your style is generally classic but you add a few “trendy” elements in a classy way, your house is still likely going to feel fresh in a few years.

“This is the time of the year when you’ll likely run across a lot of design articles about what’s in for the new year and what’s out. They are always fun to read and I admit I do enjoy being somewhat in the know about design trends.”

http://theinspiredroom.net/2017/01/27/home-makes-happy-long-beyond-trends/

Unsightly soap scum can build up in your shower over time, and there are many sprays on the market to combat the grime. However, many of these products are full of noxious chemicals. Learn how to make your own natural shower spray at home to keep your shower both clean and safe.

Key Takeaways:

• Many products we purchase to clean our home or for personal care are linked to asthma, illnesses, cancer, hormone disruptions, reproductive issues and chemicals that harm babies’ developing brains.
• Recently a research study from George Washington University also found that 45 toxic chemicals are commonly found in house dust.
• The products we may buy to help keep our kitchens and bathrooms clean, products we put on our bodies and use to wash our hands and clothes, are often full of toxins that can actually harm us.

“While we enjoy puttering around the house, hoping to make our home a cleaner, safer, more beautiful and comfortable place, studies have shown that the average household contains approximately 62 known toxic chemicals due to products we bring into our home!”

http://theinspiredroom.net/2017/01/18/diy-natural-daily-shower-spray/

Stone is making its way back into homes in a big way in 2017. Rustic looks and reclaimed wood continue to be used to create a modern farmhouse look and feel, but they’re now sharing the limelight with this dramatic, organic material integrated into interiors in a much bigger way than granite countertops. Stone, like travertine, marble and limestone, is making appearances on wall surfaces as seen above in interior designer Kelly Wearstler’s beach house in the Fall 2016 edition of InStyle Home & Design.

Key Takeaways:

• While the the luxe appeal of of gold and copper metallics in interiors is still going strong, we’ve noticed that, in some new builds and remodels, those tones are being replaced with the softer sheen, but harder surfaces, of organic materials like stone.
• Natural stone has beneficial thermal mass (the ability of a material to store heat and slowly release it), which creates a higher indoor ambient air temperature. Energy efficiency has never looked so good!
• LEED-certified design (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) continues to become more affordable and available in new home construction and additions to existing structures.

“As the owner of a home built in the 1970s, I can attest to the warming benefits of my own massive stone wall that holds a large fireplace.”

http://www.designsponge.com/2017/01/interior-design-choices-the-sustainibility-of-natural-stone.html

In the late 80s, baby boomers decided they wanted bigger and better kitchens with higher end appliances. This trend of wanting larger open kitchens that are the focal point of the house has continued today. People are cooking more in their homes and entertaining more. Designers are charged with integrating sleek pro appliances seamlessly into the kitchen space. There are many options with brands like BlueStar that offer 750 colors and a variety of finishes to give any kitchen a custom look. Install an oven under the counter, hidden from people’s view seated in the living room or den.

Key Takeaways:

• A brand like BlueStar has 750 colors and quite a few mettalic finishes as well, and you can also combine metals and do all sorts of quite smashing and chic custom looks. Coordinate colors with your cabinetry for a look that flows.
• A trend in hood design, or ventilation design, also due to the open plan kitchen, is to create an invisible hood or one which is more of an integrated architectural element in the kitchen.
• For a less “big” look, use separate pieces. Use a rangetop and put the ovens under the counter, hidden from the family room or den, rather than up high.

“BlueStar has handles configured for a French door opening so that you can access the handle just under the countertop and swing it to the side and close it the same way. That is also a quasi-universal design feature.”

http://www.thekitchendesigner.org/blog/2013/10/16/designing-pro-appliances-into-the-kitchen.html

It can be difficult to find a house that has all of the amenities that you are looking for in a home. We often settle for something that has a majority of our criteria and either living with it or modifying the home to match our style. Emily is a blogger that chose to update her home rather than deal with it. She decided they would like a master bathroom and a larger closet, so they altered the walls to make the closet bigger, bathroom smaller, and put the entrance to the bathroom in their bedroom.

Key Takeaways:

• Houses in 1926 didn’t have suites as much, but these days it’s like the distance to the bathroom is a some sort of made-up symbol of success or level of adulthood.
• There is something super lovely about having it in “our room” although had it been in the hall that would have been fine, too.
• Of course things changed a bit and got more refined. So we had to update the mood board to reflect that (that light fixture in the photo was just to pass code because ours wasn’t in yet).

“After pinning so many beautiful, more traditional tudor bathrooms (think porcelain mosaic floors) I realized that the vibe we wanted for the house was way more ‘cottage’ than ‘regal’.”

https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/master-bathroom-plan-sneak-peek

Do you clean your light switches? Did you know that you should? There are at least fifteen dirty spots you are probably not cleaning. Bacteria and germs can spread, if left to grow, and stink up your home. Add these overlooked spots to your cleaning routine and keep your home fresh and bacteria free.

Key Takeaways:

• Make sure to clean under and around your appliances, including your refrigerator, coffee pot, dishwasher, stove, and washing machine.
• Make sure not to forget the odds and ends too, like your window screens, light switches, tv remotes, curtains, toothbrush holder, and even your phone.
• Baseboards, door frames, door handles, and inside of the couch are common spots that are often ignored and overlooked. Don’t forget them and behind the toilet too!

“Even the cleanest people can overlook the little things without realizing it. If some spots—think light switches, TV remotes and window screens—are missing from your cleaning routine, here’s a little reminder to thoroughly clean house, and some help on how to tackle them properly.”

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/15-dirty-spots-you-probably-miss-when-youre-cleaning-239702

Kitchen remodels can be expensive, so read on to get to most bang for your buck. But after designing six-figure kitchens, you must learn tricks that will make your dollar stretch, AND will keep you from learning some expensive lessons. If you fall in love with an uber expensive pull, try it on an island or a specialty cabinet, like a pantry. This would be your splurge factor and you can be free to choose less expensive items other places.

Key Takeaways:

• Cabinets and counter tops are difficult and expensive to upgrade, so go more neutral with those. Bold colors, or trends such as painting your lower and upper cabinets different colors will not last forever.
• When you use “accent” lighting (think pendants, chandeliers, etc.) it is usually one of the first things that catch our eye since they tend to be at our line of sight. Take advantage of this and go bold here.
• There are so many amazing sources for easy-on-the-wallet hardware, that you don’t have to spend a fortune here. Unless you have a small kitchen, this is a place where costs can add up fast.

“If you have multiple over-the-top pieces, they can get lost in a crowd. If you have a tight budget, choose one place to make a statement and THAT is what people will remember.”

http://www.remodelaholic.com/5-must-read-tips-remodeling-kitchen-3-modern-kitchen-combos/

People at Plain English specialize in traditional home décor such as raising the ceiling and adding a pop of color to transition a home right before your eyes.  Within the Plain English blog they display photographs of their work creating a kitchen with lots of storage and worktop space while also leaving the kitchen open and free for events and other family affairs.  The value of the blog is within the pictures providing step-by-step transformations and turning an old kitchen into a spring fresh traditional kitchen.

Key Takeaways:

• How to create a kitchen island that looks as if it’s always been there.
• As an architectural alternative to cafe curtains, Plain English introduced pierced wood shutters for privacy.
• The kitchen opens to a new dining area, which like the living room entry is framed by exposed beams.

“As an architectural alternative to cafe curtains, Plain English introduced pierced wood shutters for privacy—the windows overlook a public footpath—while still allowing in natural light.”

http://www.remodelista.com/posts/kitchen-of-the-week-plain-english-farmhouse-kitchen-with-numbered-cabinets/