Two of our projects have been recognized in Holmes on Homes magazine.  The first, designed by Susan Allison, http://www.holmesmagazine.com/beforeafter1.html; and the second, designed by Kelly Schmidt, http://www.holmesmagazine.com/beforeafter2.html.

Kitchen Before & After by Susan Allison:

Bathroom Before & After by Kelly Schmidt:

We’ve all been to a friend’s home who recently had a renovation done and drooled over their beautiful backsplash which completes the entire space to perfection.  Here are a few expert tips to help you achieve a note-worthy backsplash that will leave your friends jealous!

1. Determine your budget because like everything else there’s a high and a low end.  Regardless of your budget though, creativity will take you a long way.
2. Determine the theme that you are going for.  If you are already doing a renovation then the theme most-likely has already been determined so this should be easy.  Whether it’s country, traditional, or contemporary it’s always a good idea to maintain a consistent theme.  However, as backsplashes usually cover a small area, you can definitely do something a bit different to add interest.
3. Continue your counter material up to the wall as backsplash to be consistent.  For those who have difficulty when there are too many choices, this is always a good option.
4. Define specific work areas by varying the type of material or colours used.  For instance, try stainless steel behind your cook-top and tile the rest.  Introducing different materials will make the space more interesting and allow you to highlight those big budget items, like your Wolf range!  Be careful not to overdo it though because it could end up looking like a mess.
5. Give you backsplash the same attention your cabinetry or countertop would get.  It’s at eye level, so most likely will be the first thing you see when you enter the room.
6. Do your research!  There’s a plethora of materials to choose from including, laminates, glass, ceramics, metal, and solid surface, so make sure whatever you choose is right for your needs.
7. If you are on a budget but still want something special, choose one area to install the very expensive recycled glass tiles (for instance), and use something more budget friendly for the remainder of the space.
8. Neutrals are pretty standard these days but for interest consider adding a colourful band or border for a punch of colour.
9. If you are a collector of tiles and have an interesting collection gathered through your travels, by all means use some of them to make your backsplash a bit more unique.
10. Seek professional help if you need it and when it comes to tiling quality can vary with each tiler so make sure you do your research.

The renovation of our new office space is rapidly progressing, due in large part to the participation & cooperation of our loyal tradespeople.  We’re into the 3rd week and all plumbing, electrical, & HVAC rough-ins are complete.  With this project, we are embracing the opportunity to practice what we preach to clients everyday.  We’re going as green as our budget will allow and submitting this project for LEED Gold certification.  A few things we had to incorporate into our design to ensure Gold certification are:  LED lighting throughout with individual controls to maximize the use of natural light, zero to low VOC content in all paints and adhesives, FSC certified lumber/products, dual flush / low flow toilets, Energy Star appliances, and high recycled content in drywall, millwork, and countertops.  These, among many other factors, will hopefully push us into the LEED Gold category.

Stay tuned as we go into drywalling & finishing details in the coming weeks!

Our very talented Designer / Project Manager, Susan Allison, has done it yet again.  A dramatic transformation on a very modest budget, including a kitchen, fireplace, & bathroom.  Here a few photos taken by the very happy clients:

Before

After

Living Room

Fireplace

Plumbing is a major part of many renovation projects.  Whether you are installing a sink or updating/adding a bathroom or kitchen, plumbing must be considered.  It doesn’t not matter if you are doing the work yourself or hiring a contractor, you will need to make decisions on the types of pipes you want to use.  There are many types of types and some are more appropriate for certain jobs than others.  To help you with your decisions, here’s a rundown of the main types that are used in residential projects.

PLASTIC PIPES

• PVC – (Polyvinyl Chloride) can be used only for cold water.
• ABS – (Acrylonitrite-butadiene-styrene) is used for waste removal, drain and venting, primarily in bathrooms.  It is a rigid plastic pipe that can be connected to several kinds of metal pipes.  If you are considering this, check with your contractor or local building codes as it is not permitted in some areas.
• PEX – can be used to carry both hot & cold water. It is often used for interior water pipes in residential plumbing.
• CPVC – (Chlorine-polyvinyl-chloride) is generally used to carry hot water and often used as a substitute for copper pipe.

Bathrooms are typically wet thus it is no suprise that the most common accidents are slips, falls & scalding from hot water.  Although you cannot completely eliminate accidents in bathrooms, a well-designed bathroom should consider safety a priority.  A few things to consider when redesigning your bathroom:

1. Use slip resistant flooring; this will reduce the chances of falls caused by slippery floors.
2. Eliminate steps into tubs or shower areas.  For tubs, consider building a surround so you can sit down prior to entering or exiting the tub.
3. Shower doors should open into the room rather than the shower.  Glass doors should be tempered.
4. Install proper faucets; consider pressure-balance and/or temperature-controlled valves to prevent scalding from sudden temperature change.  Faucets should be accessible; you should not have to stretch or reach for the valves.
5. Install benches and/or grab bars, especially in showers.
6. Whirlpool tubs should have accessible (from inside & outside tub area) emergency shut-offs.
7. Use ground-fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) on all electrical receptacles.
8. Keep all household products out of reach (or locked away) as many are poisonous.

Bathrooms & kitchens are typically the most expensive rooms to renovate.  This is due in large part to the appliances/fixtures that must be included, for example, the sink, dishwasher, range, fridge, etc.  Furthermore, you can’t really go for the cheapest item as it is important to have quality products in your home or you will wear them out and have to replace in a year or two.  Here are a few pointers on what to look for in your appliances in order to save money:

Dishwasher – look for low energy consumption, a delay timer & an economy cycle or half-load button; this will save on water & money

Refrigerator – look for frost build-up prevention; by circulating the air rather than using the defroster, this will help you prevent freezer burn.

Sink – stainless steel is highly recommended as they can take more abuse and is hygienic.

Oven – consider a multi-functional oven.  This will give your cook more option like browning, thawing, and many others.

Range – consider accessories like cooker hood, splashback, grill, griddle plates, rotisserie, wok burner & fish-kettle burner

Faucet – a cost-efficient option is the three-way or tri-flow faucets that take away the need for bottled water or other purification system.  Newer models offer dual-flow for hot & cold filtered water.

Countertops – Look for durability, ease during cleaning and consider the people in your household who will be using these areas.  There are many cost-effective & aesthetically pleasing options so it really depends on what your needs are.

Flooring – The cost for installation can be just as much as the material so consider your options carefully and also do thorough research for the right installer as they can make or break your design & budget.

Bathroom Fans – Look for something that’s powerful enough for your room & ensure the noise level is to your satisfaction.  Utility exhaust fans are great for reducing odors & moisture, such as in kitchens.  Fan-forced heat models are more common in colder rooms such as bathrooms as they provide extra heat.

Lighting – more is not always better.  Consider how you will use the space & what is required for the day-to-day activities.  Flourescent lamps are very popular as they use 25 to 35 percent less energy than incandescent & provide the same amount of illumination while lasting 10 times longer.  There’s also an increasing interest in LEDs.  Whatever your option, make sure you get all the information from your lighting supplier/installer to make an informed decision.

There are many interesting products available for countertop selection, many made from composite and recycled materials.  Typically, a recycled material, such as paper or glass, is combined with resins to form the solid surface.  These manufactured surfaces are harder than stone, scratch, stain, and heat resistant, and only a few require maintenance and re-sealing.  Most importantly, they are all incredibly eco-friendly.
A few items to keep in mind when sourcing green countertops: find products that use low VOC resins; consider locally-supplied products; and in the case of recycled paper products, look for FSC certification.

Here are a few products to consider:

Richlite is made of paper from FSC-Certified sources and/or recycled paper.  The paper is treated with resin then pressed and baked to create solid sheets.

IceStone is made with 100% recycled glass in a cement matrix to create a sustainable concrete surface.  It is incredibly durable, but requires sealing and waxing annually.

Vetrazzo is manufactured using a patent-pending composition that combines up to 85% recycled glass with Portland cement, water and proprietary inert ingredients such as minerals, pigments and other non-VOC substances.  This product also requires re-sealing when the finish begins to deterriorate.

EnviroSLAB are affordable and unique countertop slabs that are hand made with 100% recycled glass and porcelain mixed with color-customizable resin.  The EnviroGLAS product line also offers a number of other recycled products.

PaperStone manufactures three versions of its sustainable countertops.  All products are made using petroleum-free resin that contains natural ingredients, such as cashew nut shell liquid.  All product finishes are made from natural waxes.

EcoTop is formed from a 50/50 blend of FSC certified post consumer recycled paper and rapidly renewable bamboo fiber, then bound with a new 100% water-based system.

Squak Mountain Stone is a fibrous-cement material comprised of recycled paper, recycled glass, coal fly-ash and cement. The mixture is then hand-cast into slabs and serves as a great alternative to natural or quarried stone.

Above is a collage of the different countertop options.  Have fun & choose wisely!

Jacqueline Pasquali
Designer / Project Manager

Fontile’s Counterpoint Kitchen Systems is an exciting new venture; Fontile’s counterpoint to their ceramic tile & stone is the complementary European kitchen & bath cabinetry. The kitchen is the central room of every home that represents the homeowner uniquely and adds not only value, but character to a home. It is Counterpoint’s objective to capture your imagination, to expand on your vision, and to create your dream kitchen & bathroom with unique, European finishes. Visit Counterpoint or call us today to learn more.