Tag: tile

The right tile adds value and beauty to your home

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Not everything that people do to update their homes ends up bringing value to the property but tile is something that adds beauty and can increase the price of a home. It’s a great way to update or even upscale the look of a house. Tile gives homeowners a chance to be whimsical, express their individuality or make a bold statement. The options in style, shape and color are virtually limitless and homeowners can find smart ways to utilize tile throughout their property. From floors and backsplashes in kitchens and bathrooms to wainscoting (where a wall needs protection or a splash of pizazz), tile can make it happen, beautifully.  Here are five types of tile to consider:

Aqua artisan tile

Unique, handmade artisan tiles make your home one-of-a-kind and come in an amazing array of styles and colors.

Artisan Tile

Sometimes referred to as “handcrafted tile”, artisan tile is a beautiful choice that can be made in whatever colors, patterns or shapes fit the project. This type of tile is unique because it is custom designed and can even be one-of-a-kind. Often eco-friendly, these tiles can be made of recycled materials or natural materials. Because they are handcrafted (and glaze is brushed on by hand) when these tiles are fired in the kiln different hues and unique attributes come out of the material. From old-world, painted tiles to glossy, shaped tiles artisan tile could be the perfect touch for making a home spectacular.

Ceramic tiled bathroom

Ceramic tiled bathroom

Ceramic Tile

Ceramic tile is made of thin layers of clay that are hardened by firing and glazed. They are easily mass-produced and readily available. They are easy to clean and don’t harbor germs (so they are a great choice to use in the interior of a home). They come in an unending variety of styles, colors, shapes and sizes and are usually a more economical choice than porcelain. In fact, they are the least expensive type of tile. Perhaps that is why this type of tile continues to be so popular in home renovations and remodeling projects.

Porcelain tile flooring

Porcelain tile flooring in living room.

Porcelain Tile

Porcelain tiles are made of finer and denser clay than ceramic tiles which makes them more durable. They can be used for flooring and are more waterproof than ceramic tiles. The strength of these tiles (and the fact that they are very easy to clean) make them a popular choice. As an added bonus, they are not expensive to repair and maintain. They also come in colors, shapes and styles to fit almost every project. As is illustrated in the photo, combining different tiles (or the same tile in different colors) can create a stunning and dramatic look. Tiles can also be more subdued and elegant, combined and arranged to express whatever style pleases the homeowner.

Glass tile

Glass tile shower niche and wall.

Glass Tile

Glass tile is non-porous and can be used on the interior or exterior of the home. They are also great for swimming pools. Glass tiles are gaining in popularity because of their beauty and the fact they can be used in mosaics. They come in many different finishes like polished, frosted, etched, cracked and reflective and they come in thousands of colors, shapes and sizes.

Metal Tile

Metal Tile Backsplash

Metal tile backsplash.

For something different (or to add sparkle and richness) some homeowners are looking to metal tile. Traditionally, this type of tile was used for accents but more and more people are trying them where they used to utilize other types of tile. These tiles may be solid metal or may have a metallic glaze. Copper, bronze, silver, titanium, pewter and stainless steel are just a few of the options available in metal tiles. Depending on what type of metal tile is utilized (and where the tile is located) there may be specialized maintenance or cleaning required to keep the tile looking like new.

call button small croppedBecause of the limitless possibilities available in all types of tile, you may want to consult with a designer to help you find the perfect tile for your project. Tile selection is one of the services offered to Perry Newman Design clients and is just one, small piece of the process that takes homeowners from conception, through construction, to the completion of their unique home remodel. Click to call Perry now and get started!

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Four renovation tips to customize your home

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Grand Kitchen

Sample of timeless design: Grand kitchen with custom cabinetry, wooden floors and under-cabinet lighting.

A renovation is an opportunity to take your home from ordinary to extraordinary by customizing your residence to work for you. Perry Newman says one of the biggest mistakes people make is focusing on a particular color or item (because it ends up dictating the whole design). Seeking timeless design for expensive, permanent elements (like tile, cabinetry and fixtures) is a smarter choice because if you choose those things based on a certain color, or a painting, or even a counter-top then you are modifying all your selections around something unimportant. Instead, seek to makeover your home in a pallet that will allow you to pull in patterns, textures and natural elements to give you a designer look. Then, hang that painting and add pops of your favorite color with furnishings and accent pieces. That way, when you tire of the color or the painting doesn’t appeal to you anymore, you simply change the furnishings and have a whole new look to your home. (Click here for more information about achieving timeless design.) The options for customizing your home are endless, from installing light switches in areas that work for you to changing the height of doorknobs, however, here are a few favorites to consider:

 

  • Custom bathroom with shower room

    Sample of custom bathroom with innovative features.

    Bathrooms—Remodeling a bathroom gives you an amazing opportunity for customization. Your bathroom can become your retreat, a place to unwind and rejuvenate yourself. Some clients prefer to create a spa-like setting and others are interested in simplifying and making things efficient. A professional designer can help you think out-of-the-box and let you know about the latest trends in luxury, form and function. Many times, the traditional way of arranging a room is not the most efficient and expense in furnishings, maintenance costs and time cleaning can be reduced with smart design choices and thoughtful selections. For example, niches in the shower can eliminate racks and soap dishes or an oversized shower with a bench can give a luxury spa experience now while providing a solution for the future (when someone is elderly and needs a wheelchair).

 

  • Custom kitchen with lighting

    Sample of kitchen with custom lighting.

    Lighting—In design, “it’s all about the light.” Perry Newman says, “You get the right lighting and you are 75% of the way to great design.” Lighting sets the mood for your residence and customization allows you to adjust that mood to your needs at different times of day or different times of life. The type of lighting you choose affects paint color and how people see and perceive their surroundings. Fixtures should be carefully selected so they fade away and are invisible when appropriate and stand out as an accent or point of interest when that element is a feature of the design. Dimmer switches can give you control and help your house work well for different functions. For example, under-counter lighting in a kitchen can help brighten the room and make your kitchen more functional by giving direct light above the counter-top where you are cooking. It can also be used for safety, as a night light, or can be used for ambiance to help set the mood by dimming the lights in the evening.

 

  • Custom muti shower heads

    Sample of custom shower with multiple shower heads and a bench.

    Plumbing Fixtures—A great place to customize and make your home work for you is in your plumbing selections. There are so many features and options that it can be overwhelming but one tip is to not spend a lot on your sink. Choose something functional and then dress it up with gadgets like racks in the bottom, soap dispensers and a faucet with features that make you say, “Wow!” Because there are so many possibilities, you don’t have to spend a lot of your budget to get flexibility in function and a style you find appealing. Extra shower-heads in the bathroom, pot fillers and industrial sprayers in the kitchen, or even a retro, copper-colored faucet that looks just like the one your grandma had in her laundry room can all be yours with careful planning and smart selections.

 

  • Custom laundry room

    Sample of custom cabinetry and professionally designed laundry room in Utah.

    Cabinetry—The best tip to cabinetry selection and customization is to trust the pros. Meaning, you may have an idea about how you want your kitchen, laundry or bathroom laid out but keep an open mind and listen to the person representing your cabinet company. They have seen it all! They have experience with what works and what doesn’t. They are in and out of kitchen’s every day so they know about the trends and what great ideas people are coming up with to make houses work better. At least set aside your preconceived notions and really hear what they are recommending for finishes and designing your room for the best functionality. Trust them to create the layout. For example, tradition has taught people to put plates in upper cabinetry (because that is what they have always done) however, a smarter solution is to put heavy plates in a drawer that is as close to your dishwasher as possible. It’s easier to put things away down low, instead of lifting them, and these days upper cabinets may not be deep enough to accommodate your large plates anyway. Clients hesitate at making these changes and then, after using their kitchen’s for a while, come back to tell us how wonderful and easy it makes things. They wonder how they did it the old way for so long. Since your cabinetry will probably be one of your biggest expenses, it’s worth taking time to listen and get it right. If it’s done correctly, you’ll be happy living with your choices for a very long time. Another opportunity that comes when you replace cabinetry is the chance to change the height to meet your needs. For someone very short or tall it is a luxury to have the counter-top at a height that makes it comfortable.

 

When a remodel is in your future, remember it is a great time to plan and think about how to customize your residence. Make sure that the changes you choose for expensive items are ones that can last over time and you can be happy with for the long haul. Feel free to play with color and accent your rooms with favorite items but don’t design a room around something temporary. Think about the little things and how they affect the way you live in and move around your house. Brainstorm creative ways to improve the function and features of your home. You’ll be surprised how much getting the little things right can improve your mood and enjoyment of your rooms. As always, the professionals at Perry Newman Design are here to help you through the process of making the best choices and taking you from your home to the home of your dreams. Give us a call at 801.971.0868 or fill out the contact form at perrynewmandesign.com to get started.

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Five situations when hardwood floors won’t work and what to do instead.

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call button small croppedHardwood floors are beautiful and very appealing because people are drawn to natural products. Things from nature, like wood, offer rejuvenation, stress relief and relax our consciousness. Wood also falls into the criteria we have addressed in previous blogs about the importance of timeless design. However, as much as people love wooden floors, there are instances when it’s not the right choice to put into your home. If you love wood, here are five situations where an alternative flooring, maybe one that gives the look of wood, might be a better choice:

  • High traffic areas where wood could be damaged; Beautiful hardwood floors will not stay looking their best or make a homeowner happy if they are installed into very high traffic areas where they can be damaged. Think of a mountain cabin where ski poles, sleds, boots, rocks, hiking equipment, mud, snow and dirt will be dragged across an entryway floor. Especially in a space where the homeowner comes to relax and get away, constant worry about a floor would defeat the purpose of your get-away place. This may also be true in certain parts of your primary residence so think about how your home will be utilized and avoid putting hardwood where there is a potential for damage. If high-traffic and risk of damage make you shy away from wood, consider concrete, rubber or vinyl as wood imposters that will look great but give you nearly indestructible alternatives. You’ll end up having the look you want without the worry.
Rubber flooring that looks like hardwood planks.
Residential interior with flooring that looks like hardwood but is made of rubber.
Example of concrete floor that looks like wood.
  • Areas where moisture is a concern; Places like bathrooms may not be the best rooms to install hardwood floors. Usually, when a floor has buckled or had other water damage, it happens near showers, refrigerators or where there is plumbing for sinks or appliances. Water and wood don’t mix well and when they do it causes big headaches and expensive repairs for the homeowner. If you want the wooden look without the worry about moisture damage, consider installing tile that is designed to imitate hardwood flooring. There are many beautiful options to choose from that look just like wood. Besides the moisture protection, another benefit of the tile floor is that you have the option of adding a radiant heating system into the floor. This luxury isn’t an option if you choose hardwoods.
    Tile flooring that looks like hardwood flooring.
    Tile kitchen floor that looks like wood.
  • The cost of the wood you want is beyond your budget; Staying under budget is always a consideration that has to be managed and you can’t always find high-end materials at low-end prices. However, there are many low-cost options for wood alternatives that can give you the hardwood look you desire. Your designer will have many products for you to consider but some solutions may be linoleum, vinyl, rubber or laminates. Take time to shop these commodities and you will be amazed at how realistic the look and feel mimic hardwood floors while keeping your wallet and bottom line happy.
  • Maintaining hardwood floors takes time, energy and money; You don’t want to compromise the integrity of your beautiful floors so putting in hardwood is like signing a contract to refinish them about every five years. This is a lot of work or an expense and inconvenience that is just part of owning wood. Any of the wood alternatives that are mentioned in this blog are easier to maintain than hardwood flooring. The best way to get the wooden plank look with the least amount of work is to try vinyl. It’s not the vinyl of decades gone by. Newer types that have the wood plank look even come in snap-together planks to better mimic hardwoods.
    Vinyl flooring that looks like wood.
    Kitchen with vinyl flooring that looks like a hardwood, plank floor.
  • Wooden flooring is not conducive to the design of your home; There are some styles where, as much as you love hardwood floors, they just don’t fit the design. There are literally thousands of choices for flooring available in every texture, color and material you can imagine. If you are struggling to come up with a flooring idea because you are stuck on the idea of wood then sit down and make a list of what you like about hardwood floors, then work with your designer to find an alternative that checks the boxes of those attributes that are most important to you.
    Example of interior space utilizing rubber flooring.
    Bathroom with linoleum flooring.
    Turquoise and white kitchen with terrazzo floor.
    Mid-century, modern dining area with terrazzo floor.
    Example of brick utilized as interior flooring.
    Example of interior with polished concrete floor.

Choosing the right flooring is a very important decision homeowners need to make and then live with for years. If you love hardwood, use it where you can but if some of the above five considerations affect your flooring choices then know there are a variety of options and solutions to fit every situation. The professionals at Perry Newman Design can help you navigate the selection process and choose the flooring that is best suited for each area of your home. This service is included in your Perry Newman Design experience. Your designer will be there from conception, through construction, to completion.

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