south bay october 2008

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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2010

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O C T O B E R / N O V E M B E R 2 O 1 O

[ C O N T E N T S ]8

TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com

8 Eco-Friendly FlooringNew eco-options for flooring keep your home greenand your air clean.By Deborah Burstyn

10 Kitchen as Their CenterpieceA remodeling company meets the challenge of a young family’s growing needs.By Lisa Winer

12 Feng Shui EnergyConnecting you with your living environment.By Julia Arndt

14 Multi-Function Comes HomeFrom home office to guest room in seconds.By Xu Bei Shi

16 Designer Know-How Get the most for your money on a kitchen remodel. By Deborah Burstyn

T R E N D Y I N T E R I O R S10

14

4 October/November 2010 THM


BayArea.com

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Web sites, and

professionals

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you with all your

home projects.A Room for all ReasonsContemporary garages are garnering new respect.

www.thmag.com/e-premiergarage

Uncovering New Options New wallbed designs offer

flexibility and beauty.

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Backyard Storage.Enjoy your yard and gain storage space.

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First ImpressionsExciting new ways to enhance your home front.

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Find more great ideas and resources for your home onTodaysHomeBayArea.com

Post your company information @ TodaysHomeBayArea.com!Call 925.389.3481 or e-mail [email protected] for more information.

South Bay/Silicon Valley THM October/November 2010 5TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com

ON THE COVER

Photo: Carlisle Wide Plank Floors in Walnut.(www.wideplankflooring.com).

NKBA7 Outdoor Bathrooms

A new trend in bathroom design.By Shari Steele

18 Shower Oasis Updating your bathroom provides comfort and is a good investment. By Patricia Hayse Haller

CCIDC20 Blending of Styles

Merging traditional and contemporary provideunique results.By Zara Stender, CID, IDS, CMG

18

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TODAYSHOMEBayArea.com6 October/November 2010 THM South Bay/Silicon Valley

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Volume 12, Issue 5 • October/November 2010

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For those more adventurous types, anoutdoor shower would be ideal. Just askany kid and they will tell you how much fun they are.

For this trend to work you really wouldwant to hire a designer, someone who has

done a project like this before. You should consult with 2-3 designers,take a look at their work and see if it supports your vision. And most of all have fun. Remember this is your mini spa staycation.

Shari Steele is the designer at Shari Steele Designs ([email protected]) and is the V.P. of Academic Relations for NKBA Northern California as well as Chairperson for the 2011 NKBA Design Competition. From choosing a designer to picking out fixtures, the NKBA is your best source for design ideas, expert remodeling tips, and advice. To find a design professional near you please contact www.nocankba.org. THM

FIRST WE SAW OUTDOOR KITCHENS. Next, we will beseeing more and more bathroom applications that areindoor/outdoor oriented.

As more people are purchasing smaller, more affordableproperties or simply downsizing due to grown children,forward thinkers are considering the possibility of creating an outdoor room that is an extension of the bathroom theyhave—or are looking into adding some outdoor features into new bathroom planning.

One of the biggest trends has been the popularization of going to spas. Another is traveling to exotic places, islandspots with waterfalls, hot springs and fountains. Instead ofspending lots of money at a spa or traveling far away to get a “zen” experience, why not incorporate these qualitiesinto an area of your bathroom and adjoining outdoor space.You can enjoy a mini vacation and spa experience everyday,permanently. We call these “Staycations”.

Now we all know about hot tubs, but how many of youhave ever taken an outdoor shower, sauna, or steam bath?This can be added to a hot tub area in the backyard withouttoo much of a stretch. The idea is to be outdoors in thegarden with greenery surrounding you. Privacy is not even a problem as there are many ways to impede any vision ofwhat you are doing.

Another idea would be to incorporate larger windows and bring plantsindoors. There are now vertical methods of growing plants with walls goinggreen. And yes, they will work indoors with stone floors, or rocks and floordrains. You could include a large garden window filled with growing containerplants toward the outside bathroom wall or incorporate large French doorsthat open out to an outdoor pond or water feature. You can almost hear thewater gurgling. Not hard to imagine but certainly calming and a wow factorin any home.

[ N K B A ]

BY SHARI STEELE

National Kitchen & Bath Association


BayArea.commore articles

from nkba

OUTDOORBATHROOMS

A new trend inbathroom design.


Eco-friendly bamboo stair treads.

Photo courtsey Eco Frie

ndly Floorin

g (ecofriendlyflooring.com).

[ T R E N D Y I N T E R I O R S ]

JUST LIKE OTHER MATERIALS FOR THEhome, many kinds of flooring now comereadily available in attractive new choices

that are design-driven, long-lasting and eco-friendly. This new wave of sustainable flooringoptions is as stylish and strong as their non-sustainable varieties. But these “green” floors are not only good for the planet; they are good for you, too. That means they are made fromcomponents that do not deplete our naturalresources and also do not “off gas”—that is,release—toxic chemical by-products that maycontribute to indoor air pollution.

Today, there are green versions of traditionalmaterials like hardwood and tile, new selectionslike bamboo and cork as well and a choice that’sboth new and old—linoleum, brought back to themarketplace because of its environmentally soundqualities.

To make sure that you don’t get floored by all the choices out there, here’s a run-down on the some of the top choices in eco-flooring today.

Put a Cork on ItWith a rich earthy color and textures reminiscentof wood, cork flooring provides advantages all its own. Cork floors are great for areas wheremaximum comfort and high noise absorption is required like a kitchen or playroom.

The inherent qualities of cork make it anattractive flooring choice in all living areas in thehouse. Cork provides warmth and resilience, soundinsulation and a comfortable cushion underfoot.Harvested every 10 years from the outer bark ofthe cork oak, it is a renewable resource andconsidered environmentally sustainable.

New eco-options for flooring keep your home green and your air clean.BY DEBORAH BURSTYN

Eco-FriendlyFlooring


Bamboo–Not Just For the JungleBamboo flooring is an excellent environmentally-sensible alternative to hardwood floors or carpet.Actually a grass, not a tree, bamboo is harvestedfrom managed plantations and does not destroythe habitats of wildlife. Whether you prefer thedeep espresso hues or gym floor light tones,properly aged bamboo will make a stylish andstrong addition to your home. Bamboo is silkysmooth to the touch but harder and more dent-resistant than many hardwoods such as white oakand maple. High-quality brands of bamboo flooringwill give you a durable, non-toxic, and beautifulfloor for many years.

Wooden It Be Nice to Have a Guilt-Free Wood Floor?Yellow heart pine, Douglas fir, maple, oak, andhickory— there’s nothing like a real hardwoodfloor. For homeowners sold on traditional hardwoodfloors, the Forest Stewardship Council makes surethat your lumber comes from sustainably managedforests. Many of types of wood are produced in FSC-certified forests in which the trees areregenerated, biodiversity is conserved, and air and water quality are preserved. FSC-certifiedwood flooring is comes in hundreds of differentshades and styles.

Another option is to go with salvaged orreclaimed flooring recycled from older buildings.Most reclaimed wood flooring is milled fromstructural beams and timbers that were used inwarehouses and factories in the early 1900s.Some might even be salvaged tongue/groove planks flooring. In either case, the vintage woodinstantly brings charm and character to a room.

Roll Out the Green CarpetEasy-to-find natural carpets are those made fromnatural sisals, jutes, and sea grass. But for a softeryet natural floor covering, you can also find low-toxic100 percent wool carpets made with undyedor vegetable-dyed yarn and minimal natural latex(rubber) glue. Thick and resilient, real wool offersnatural insulating properties. For more colorvarieties, try carpets with high recycled (synthetic)content and less-toxic backings and adhesives.

Back to the Future with LinoleumA popular kitchen floor of mid-20th centuryAmerica, linoleum was first introduced andpatented in 1860. Made of natural and renewablematerials such as linseed oil, pine resins, woodflour, and pigments, it was ready for a comebackin eco-conscious the 21st century—and it’s here.

Today, natural linoleum is available in manycolors ranging from pastel and subdued to vibrantand daring colors. Available in both sheets andtiles, linoleum is a durable, biodegradable materialthat is comfortable, warm and quiet. Linoleum isalso hypoallergenic and antistatic; characteristicsthat help linoleum repels dust and dirt. Linoleumis an excellent option for playrooms and homegyms. Unlike vinyl flooring, the colors in linoleumare embedded all the way through the material.

Whatever room you’re flooring, you can make sure what’s underfoot is green by choosing eco-friendly materials like Forest StewardshipCouncil certified wood floors, durable cork, maturebamboo, natural wool carpeting, natural linoleumor recycled glass tiles. All you got to lose areindoor pollutants. THM


MICHELE AND PAYSONJohnston, homeowners in San Jose’s Cambrian

district, were faced with a challenge.Michele homeschooled her twoyoung daughters and spend a lot of time crafting. Yet her kitchen,where she preferred to engage inthese two activities, wasn’t up tothe job.

The galley kitchen, in the frontof the house, was very small. The layout—one way to enterand exit, cooktop on one side and sink on other—made for a dangerous situation if the kids were running through. Thekitchen was also separated from the rest of the house.

The Johnstons really wanted to have their kitchen be the“central entertainment, planning and coordination familycenter,” says Jim Kabel, owner of Case Remodeling, whichremodeled the Johnstons’ home. Michele wanted to be ableto keep an eye on the kids in the backyard while she cooked,and to be more connected to the rest of the house.

The existing footprint wasn’t good for expanding, saysdesigner Ramona Tan. The solution? After an extensiveinquiry into how her clients used their home, Ramonasuggested to the Johnstons that they flip-flop the kitchenwith a very large, underused dining room toward the back.

This entailed major changes to electrical, plumbing andstructural systems and the framing of the roof, says Jim, and to make the new location of the dining room a little bigger, thefront of the house was bumped out a few feet. A sun porch inthe back of the house—presumed to be attached to the housebut actually freestanding—became part of the kitchen.

“We had to totally reconstruct that space to create one wholeliving space for the kitchen,” says remodeling consultant projectmanager, Mike Brennan. The freestanding porch was somethingno one knew about and was potentially dangerous in anearthquake. Mike calls such surprises a “dragon in the ceiling.”

In the new kitchen, an island with a sink was created that acted as protective barrier between hot areas and the room'smajor walkway. The new floor plan allowed for two pathways inthe kitchen, so family members could enter and exit withoutcrossing the pathway of someone at the stove.

A repurposed entryway on the side of the house opened onto a breakfast nook adjacent to the kitchen, which became the designated home schooling and crafting area. Two pantrieswere created for home schooling/crafting and food storage, aswell as a customized broom closet.

The new kitchen opens onto the living room and family roomspaces, making the home feel more connected. Adding a baywindow to the dining room in the front and a sliding glass door that joins a seating area with the backyard has created a sense of lightness and openness to the whole house.



BY LISA WINER

Kitchen as Their Centerpiece

A remodelingcompany meets the challenge of a young family’sgrowing needs.

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The kitchen was outfitted in atraditional style with a painted white rub-through finish on the cabinet doors,creating an old-world look. In accordancewith the family’s low-maintenanceneeds, Case used a backsplash of simplebeadboard, which can just be wipeddown and is very easy to repair.

The countertops and island are ofvery dense granite, which is easy tomaintain. The appliances are all modernstainless steel. The homeowners hadquite specific needs, says Ramona,which made the design of the spaceboth a challenge and enjoyable. “Theyhad a very specific vision.”

Meanwhile, the Johnstons just hadtheir third child, and the design of theirhome is satisfying their “growing needs.”They are very pleased and—as was theirwish – they spent a majority of timewhile at home in the kitchen. Theirfamily home, with the kitchen as theircenterpiece and dining room still usefulfor formal events, suits them just fine.

For more information, contact Case Handymanand Remodeling at (408) 323-5300 or visitwww.SanJose.CaseRemodeling.com. THM

Before


NOWADAYS, WE TEND TO USE THE WORD “ENERGY” IN CASUALconversations to often describe our impressions of another person. Wemight say, “he has great energy” or “their energy is so negative”. What

we are really referring to is one’s internal character or Qi (Chinese for vital energy).Typically, and without it being completely obvious to us, our external environment,as well as the dwellings where we live or work, affect our internal energy.

Winston Churchill’s statement, “We shape our dwellings, and afterwardsour dwellings shape us” may indicate some deeper level awareness andunderstanding of the relationship between people and their surroundings.

Homes, offices, and rooms provide varied emotional responses. When we talk about energy in terms of a room we might say, “I have difficultyconcentrating in this room” or “I feel energized in this room”. Many of usmight remember entering a space where we felt like we could move right in and, contrarily, we have entered spaces we couldn’t wait to leave.

Determining the tangible and intangible energies that exist within a spaceand how they correspond to the person occupying a space is something theChinese figured out many years ago. Feng shui (literally translated as wind andwater) refers to a complex and dynamic system that can simply be describedas energies that combine movement or flow (wind) with containment (water).It is not necessarily literally translated into wind and water but the twoelements are essential to achieve a healthy and nourishing environment.

On a basic level, good feng shui means creating energy within a space that feels good, looks good and works to enhance the needs and well-being of individuals who inhabit them. While feng shui does not adhere to any oneparticular design style, interior design plays an integral role in the balancingand harmonizing of individual spaces. It makes good sense; when there isbalance and harmony in the environment one is more likely to experience anatural shift towards a happy, healthier and more prosperous and productive life.

Inspired Place’s client responses range from, “I’m now feeling inspired andmotivated” to “this experience provided me with solutions that enhanced mybusiness, creating greater success”. Approaching design from a classical fengshui perspective or by integrating its core principles places the occupants atthe center of design resulting in interiors that create a tangible and measureableharmony between the two that brings about a higher quality of living.

Next time you are conscious of how you feel in a space, it’s likely the fengshui. Others who have found success by integrating feng shui principles intotheir homes and businesses are Donald Trump, Steven Spielberg, Donna Karan,Madonna, Oprah Winfrey, Tommy Hilfiger, Ponderosa Homes, The Wall StreetJournal, MGM Grand, Bank of America, Citibank, McDonalds, Dreamworks,Virgin Airlines and the Los Angeles Zoo—and that’s just the short list!

Julia Arndt, Allied ASID, NKBA, NCGBP, is a certified Classical Feng Shui specialist. To learn moreabout classical feng shui, contact her at (415) 300-7175 or visit www.inspiredplaces.com. THM

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IT SEEMED LIKE A GOOD IDEA at the time, turning your infrequentlyused guest room into a home office for the family. It was a goodidea…until the houseguests arrived and you didn’t have a comfortable

space for them. Why compromise? With a custom designed home officeand wallbed you can have your work space and your guest room. Theideal solution!

Larry Fox, president and owner of Valet Custom Cabinets and Closets,points out that in a standard 12 foot square room a homeowner hasmore than enough space for both an office and a guest room withoutsacrificing workspace or a comfortable room for company.

A typical design will have a desk andworkspace on one wallwrapping around to a wallbed with sidecabinetry on the adjacentwall. Custom officefeatures might includemultiple workstations,specialty cabinetsdesigned for computerequipment, concealed wire management, and lighting. Wallbeds are often accompanied withside cabinets that offerwardrobe storage and

nightstands. “It’s a fully integrated solution that meets the needs of the family and the individual,” says Fox. The results go far beyond what most of us could conjure up using elements from a catalog orfurniture store.

Customers often start by visiting one of Valet’s showrooms to gatherideas and see the product features and quality first hand. They gain a good feel for what can be accomplished and an expectation of cost.The focus then shifts to design and a complimentary in-home designconsultation is scheduled. “We ask a lot of questions to fully understandeach customer’s specific requirements and goals,” says Fox. “With theaid of our computer CAD program we are able to develop a customsolution that ideally meets their individual needs in both function and style.”

A designer will ask about things the client may not have evenconsidered. For example: How much filing space is needed? Will you be using a laptop or computer tower? Would you like your guests to have reading lights in their bed? Follow up questions are then asked,such as do you need standard or legal size files or both?

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“We work on the functionality first and then we craft the aestheticsand styling options,” says Fox.

Valet’s experienced design team excels at making the most out of any space while complimenting the elegance of the home. Whetherit is utilizing corner spaces, placing printers and CPU’s on slide-outshelves under a desk, or adding in a locking ergonomic laptop traythat slides under the desk when not in use, every inch of space isthought out. Designers will also recommend which type of wallbed willwork best in the room. In addition to twin, double and queen sizes,wallbeds are available in both vertical and side-tilt options. Verticaltilt beds can even be ordered with an integrated fold down table.

“Our primary objective is to create a unique solution that fits foryou,” says Fox. In one home, Valet installed an office and wallbed in San Francisco for a customer who has back issues. To address the customer’s need to be standing while working, one section of the desk was raised to 45 inches high for his laptop.

Customers can choose from a wide range of material optionscrafted in Valet’s 15,000 square-foot Campbell factory, a certifiedgreen manufacturing facility that uses 95 percent environmentallypreferred products.

Valet services the entire Bay Area with over 40% of their businesscoming from repeat customers and word-of-mouth referrals. Fox, whohas owned the company for 10 years, prides himself on the 96.4%on time rate once an installation appointment is set. “We provide aunique and personal service,” he says.

For more information on Valet Custom Cabinets and Closets, Organizers, go towww.valetcustom.com and visit their showrooms:

Campbell Showroom & Manufacturing, 1190 Dell Avenue, Suite J, (408) 370-1041Mon– Fri 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; Sat 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM;

Danville Showroom, 602 Sycamore Valley Road West (in the Danville Livery) (925) 362-8838 Tues– Sat 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. THM


With Tonya’s trained eyeobserving kitchen design trendsand the latest kitchen materialsin the marketplace, Wilsonwisely knows the best places to cut corners—and where not to —for a budget-savvy kitchenremodel. Here is her advicebased on her insider’s know-how of kitchen design.

WHERE YOU CAN SAVE:Cabinet Boxes: These are the interiors of the kitchen cabinets, the partno one ever sees. “If the budget is really tight, this is one area to cutback on,” advises Wilson. “Go with particle board instead of a plywoodinterior. Particle board has come a long way; it is not as flimsy orcrumbly as it used to be. It’s more durable and you can save.”

Cabinet Doors: Go for a gorgeous exotic wood cabinet door like zebrawood or mahogany that only looks expensive. “If we do a veneer asopposed to a solid wood door then you get the look of wood withoutthe cost,” Wilson says.

Flooring: “A lot of people like the idea of a tile floor but it can costtwice as much as a wood floor,” comments Wilson. “I recommendengineered wood which is still a solid wood but over a substrate.Cherry and oak are very popular. I especially like oak because it has the widest versatility. With oak your kitchen can be modern,traditional or transitional.”

GET THE MOST FORYOUR MONEY ON AKITCHEN REMODEL.

DesignerKnow-How

BY DEBORAH BURSTYN

APROFESSIONAL KITCHEN DESIGNER CAN BE A HOMEOWNER’Sbest friend when it’s time to remodel the kitchen.Even on a budget. In fact, if you want to keep costs

down, a designer can be the most important member of yourremodel team. With all the fabulous product choices outthere and the thousands of possible new looks, remodelingcan seem overwhelming; especially if you’re trying to containcosts. A professional designer can help you achieve the bestlooking kitchen for your money and even find additionalways to save with tricks of the trade you might not haveknown yourself.

One of the most economical ways to work with a designeris to find one who is part of a comprehensive design-buildteam. These are companies that provide one-stop shoppingwith all the remodeling and building professionals you needfor a project working together as an integral team under oneroof. All their services are included in one bid from the start.One of the top rated design-build firms nationally is S.E.A.Construction in San Mateo.

“The premise of design-build is that you have the architect,contractor and designer work together as a team under oneroof, everything is very streamlined. Instead of going to aseparate contractor, getting bids and then finding out somethingis over cost to install and having to go back to the designer,we all work together in-house and constantly track how designimpacts costs,” explained Tonya Wilson, a professionalkitchen and bath designer with S.E.A. Construction.

Today’s Home spoke to Wilson about how to get the mostimpressive look and high-functioning design for the best value.



Appliances: Today many brands have upped their gameto compete with top dollar professional-quality appliancesand Wilson thinks they’re a great buy. She also recommendsa counter-depth refrigerator instead of a built-in. “Mostrefrigerators are 28 or 30 inches deep but cabinets areonly 24 inches deep. So the refrigerator usually sticksout like a sore thumb. Now there are counter depthrefrigerators that are 24 inches deep. We put a cabinet on top of them and then we put panels on any exposedside of the refrigerator. It looks built in without theexpense. This alone can save several thousand dollars.”

Roll-out Shelves: – Be strategic with these, Wilsonsuggests. “It is really only the bottom drawers that arethe most inaccessible. So just put in a roll-out shelf thereand a regular shelf on top. This way you get the best ofboth worlds and a lower cost.”

WHERE YOU SHOULD SPLURGE:Tile Backsplash: “A lot of people think that a tilebacksplash is luxury, not a necessity. But it really is amajor part of a kitchen’s wow factor. It makes a hugedifference,” says Wilson. She creates her tile backsplashideas on a computer so clients can see a range of colors,designs and materials before making a decision.

Countertops: “Most people assume that an engineeredstone countertop will be less expensive than granite. Thatis not the case. Solid granite is still the best buy out there.

And today there are a lot of new options and finishes. You can do a honedor leathered finish with a lot of texture to it. It will give you a higher visualimpact,” Wilson explains. She adds, “If you plan to ever resell your homeand you can list granite counter tops, you will see the return on it.”

Appliances: Although you may not need to buy the most expensiveappliance brands on the planet, you should upgrade to stainless steelfinishes, Wilson maintains. “Definitely go stainless. It is going to be moreexpensive than white or black but it is one of those features that letspeople who walk in know your kitchen is updated and remodeled.”

Soft-Close Cabinet Door Hardware: This is a soft close mechanism thatprevents cabinet doors from slamming and rattling the china. Wilsonrecommends it as an important detail in a remodel. “Your cabinets aregoing to last longer, and it is a feature that is highly valued and impressivewhen other people check out your kitchen.”

Overall, Wilson recommends stainless steel-finished appliances, ahardwood floor, granite countertops, soft-close cabinet doors and pendantlight fixtures over the kitchen island. “I try to help the client prioritizewhere it is important to spend money and where it makes sense to save.”

In the grand scheme of things, the biggest savings may come fromworking with a design-build firm like S.E.A. Construction. Theiroutstanding reputation, track record and one-stop team of experts willsave time and money on your kitchen remodeling project.

For more information, call S.E.A. Construction (650) 287-4202 or visittheir showroom in San Mateo at 1941 O’Farrell Street, Suite 101. Visit thecompany’s Web site at www.seaconstruction.com. THM

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bathroom renovations is the framelessshower enclosure. Made of temperedsafety glass, frameless shower doorslast three to four times longer than a framed shower door, are easier toclean, and look equally at home inboth traditional and modern décors.

“A basic frameless door costs just a few hundred dollars more than anold-fashioned framed door,” says Terri.“But it gives you a much nicer, moreupdated look. Beautifully tiled ormarbled walls are enhanced, and, like a mirror, clear glass opens up the spacemaking the room look larger.” All thatmakes a bathroom—and the wholehome—more desirable in today’sbuyers’ market.

But value isn’t just about what youcan get out of your home or bathroomin the future. It’s how you feel living init every day. “People use their bathroomas their oasis,” says Terri. “In thesetight economic times, spa visits areoften an unaffordable luxury and so

BY PATRICIA HAYSE HALLER

Shower OasisUpdatingyour bathroomprovides comfort and is a good investment.

WHEN IT COMES TO RENOVATING YOUR BATHROOM, itmight be time to change your frame of reference.In fact, it may be time to go frameless.

Recession worries have some homeowners hesitatingabout whether now is the time to redo their outdatedbathroom, and toying with the temptation to opt for thecheapest solution instead of getting what they yearn for—beauty, design, and quality.

“People are holding onto their pocketbooks more thanever before,” says Terri Downs of CB Showers in San Carlos,an award-winning specialist in custom frameless showerenclosures since 1986. Whether homeowners are updating atired bathroom or remodeling a small bathroom into a largerspace, she sees too many of them searching for the cheapestprice, rather than the best value.

Fortunately, there are times when what’s best for yourpocketbook and what’s best for your soul agree. A bathroomrenovation is a prime example, especially one that includes a frameless shower enclosure.

According to the Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report for2009-10, (www.remodeling.hw.net/2009/costvsvalue/national.aspx)an upscale bathroom remodel is still one of the best investmentsyou can make in your home, offering on average a 71%return on investment if you were to sell your home within oneyear. And one of the biggest bangs-for-the-buck in modern

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many people seem to be tense and on edge these days”, she said. “We allneed a place where we can go chill. Renovating your bathroom is a realmood lifter. It makes you feel so good about where you live, because yourhouse is a reflection of who you are.”

That need to personalize your space is why CB Showers—which hasbeen Diamond Certified since 2003—goes the extra mile to help eachhomeowner create an enclosure that uniquely fits their personal style.“Our enclosures are custom ordered, and we carry a huge range ofproducts, with glass and hardware options in all different colors, texturesand designs, says Terri” In the San Carlos showroom, shoppers will findmatching door hardware and bathroom fixtures ranging from oil-rubbedbronze and antique brass to sparkling chrome and polished brass. Thecompany also carries colored glass for backsplashes and shower walls;framed and sliding enclosures for smaller spaces; mirrors for vanities and walls; even bar glass shelves.

“There are more choices now than there have ever been,” says Terri.“But it’s important to remember that our focus is and always has beenframeless shower doors. Other glass companies have added frameless to their product line in the last decade, and there are a few who claimthey can do what we do cheaper, but aren’t licensed, insured or properlytrained.” In contrast, CB Showers, which is fully insured and licensed,introduced the frameless shower enclosure concept to the Bay Area almost 25 years ago and stands behind all their installations 100%.

For more information on the value of going frameless, visit CB Showers,Inc. at 1160 Industrial Road #10 in San Carlos or www.cbshowers.com,or call (650) 593-6997. THM


CONTEMPORARY OR TRADITIONAL and never the twain shall meet?Well, not anymore. With the financial caution all of us are exercising,we are more drawn to customs that represent a safer, saner time period.

However, there is new fresh thought that will not be denied. I find that whenclients want contemporary style in their home but still yearn for traditional,blending the two takes a steady hand and keen sense of balance.

Simplicity was key with this client who wanted a modern look for his new home, but found he was still drawn to the comfort and familiarity of hisMidwestern/German roots.

To successfully accomplish this, we needed to:• Blend clean, straight lines of contemporary style with the ornatequalities of 18th Century furniture

• Honor the modern architecture of the space • Incorporate old world into the new.• Mix metals, woods and stone• Keep color shades, tints and tones in the same family

Mix metals, mixwoods, mix styles?Sounds like a designnightmare…not so…although it could easily go wrong. Paint can solve theproblem by creating a “bridge” between these elements. The trick is to blendcolors to produce a hue that pulls it all together seamlessly.

Using Sherwin-Williams 7005 Pure White as a base, metallic gold andsilver were added in to ‘platinumize’ the wall color. The brushed nickel,antique gold, and bronze [not shown] elsewhere in the space make a smoothtransition. The finished result is a soft, multi-dimensional feel. The mirrors

of ornately carved mahogany blend with the brushednickel of the light fixture, travertine, and marble offsetting the hard surfaces and curvilinear lines. For awarmer effect add more gold or a greater amount ofsilver for a cooler end product.

The result was a space that seamlessly blended the two and was not so retro as new, fresh and forward.To accomplish the same in your home you may want to consider hiring a Certified Interior Designer. Mergingstraight lines into sensuous curves requires therestrained and balanced perspective of a professional.You’ll find that a little guidance will save you a lot oftime and money in the long run.

Zara Stender is a Certified Interior Designer, CCIDC Board member,Chairholder with the Color Marketing Group, and STIR MagazineAdvisory Board member. You can find information on CertifiedInterior Designers in your area at www.ccidc.org/cidpages. THM

[ C C I D C ]

BY ZARA STENDER, CID, IDS, CMG


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Mirrors are from Thomasville’s Brompton Hall Collection.

Blending of Styles

Photos by Z

ara Stender


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H O M E O F F I C E S • W A L L B E D S • M E D I A C E N T E R S • C L O S E T S • G A R A G E S

C U S T O M S O L U T I O N S TA I L O R E D

T O Y O U R S P E C I F I C N E E D S A N D S PA C E

V I S I T U S N O W A T W W W . V A L E T C U S T O M . C O M

A N D A T T H E F O L L O W I N G S H O W R O O M L O C A T I O N S :

C A M P B E L L 1 1 9 0 - J D E L L A V E N U E 4 0 8 . 3 7 0 . 1 0 4 1

D A N V I L L E 6 0 2 S Y C A M O R E V A L L E Y R O A D , W E S T 9 2 5 . 3 6 2 . 8 8 3 8

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Documents

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