Countertops - What’s Trending

When it comes to countertops, there are quite a few different directions you can go with them. These are the top three we are seeing everywhere and gravitate to as recommendations for our clients. 

Granite 

PDR Interiors

Granite is without a doubt what we recommend the most out of these countertop options. One of the best things about granite is the amazing variation you get from stone to stone. This creates beautiful character and interest in any space. On a practical side of things, it is very durable and is resistant to things like heat, cuts, and scratches. One small downside to granite is you do have to re-seal it every so often, but that is a small sacrifice for a huge reward!

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Marble

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Next up we have marble. Marble is undeniably beautiful, elegant and classic. It is without a doubt thought of as a higher end material so you will be raising the value of any space with the addition of this material. A few downsides to this choice are its higher price, its likelihood to stain and chip more easily than other materials like granite or quartz. This is where style and practicality butt heads, although that is not to say when properly cared for it is not an excellent choice! 

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Quartz 

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Finally we have quartz. This is an interesting option because it gives you the best of both worlds. It mimics the look of natural stone like marble, with the durability of a manmade product. They have come so far with the pattern and variation you can achieve with quartz. It also requires much less maintenance which is a huge plus. It is a great choice, especially in kitchens that will get a ton of use!

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Kitchen Refresh - Quick Tips for an Update

Stainless Steel Appliances

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Swapping to stainless steel appliances can drastically update the look of your kitchen. This is by far the largest investment of our kitchen update tips but it is one that will not only make your kitchen look beautiful and updated, it would also be a HUGE selling point when it comes time to sell your house. 

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Cabinet Hardware Update

thefreshexchangeblog.com

One of the simplest and most affordable ways to quickly update your kitchen is by updating the hardware on your kitchen cabinets. Whether that means switching from brass to brushed nickel or bronze, or simply updating the style of your handles it can make a big impact with little investment. 

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New Backsplash

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Another large impact that can be made in your kitchen is by adding or updating the current backsplash. The backsplash can truly set the tone for the rest of your space whether you want it to be clean and simple like a subway tile, or make a statement with something like a Moroccan tile. Making this update will change the entire look and feel of your kitchen! 

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Spring Spruce Up - Quick ways to Freshen your Kitchen

As we continue our Spring Spruce Up series, we move right along into the kitchen. This is a place where we spend so much of our time, yet somehow it can turn into the last place we think about when it comes to updating our decor. Below are few quick ways you can freshen up your kitchen’s decor!

Countertop Accessories

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Your kitchen countertops are crucial workspaces that need to be functional and left mostly open and clean. This is not to say that your functional items like fruit/bread baskets and other containers shouldn't reflect the design style that runs through the rest of your house. These are items that can make a huge difference in your space once you update them!

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Art Work

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Art is another thing in your kitchen that can stay the same for years on end while you walk past it everyday not thinking twice about the impact that changing it would make. There are so many different directions you can go with the art you choose for your kitchen. If you are one who likes for your art to have a kitchen like feel, there are so many fun updated options out there that can be just what your kitchen needs to add a little spark of interest. We do suggest sticking with pieces that are easily cleanable for any possible messes that may occur. 

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Cabinet Hardware Swap

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Lastly, a quick and inexpensive way to spruce up your kitchen is by swapping out your cabinet and drawer hardware. This swap could be from an outdated brass to a clean brushed nickel or a standout oil rubbed bronze. Or maybe you are happy with your current hardware’s finish but want to switch up the style, this is a great option as well!

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Winter Reno - Trends in Lighting for Kitchens and Bathrooms

Lantern Style

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Lantern style light fixtures are a big trend in lighting right now especially in kitchens. Most of the lantern style lights are open without any glass closing them in which creates a nice open feel. These are two examples of this style in different finishes which shows how they can work with so many different decor styles!

3adesignstudio.com

Exposed Bulbs

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Another big trend in lighting in general is to have exposed bulbs, especially Edison bulbs. This trend translates well into kitchens and bathrooms since they have a very sleek and clean style. Some popular styles that have exposed bulbs include lantern, cage, globe, and bell jar. 

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Brass 

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The brass and antique brass trend is still holding on into 2017, but now in smaller doses. 2015 and 2016 was all about brass and now the trend is going to more subtle touches instead of all over. This is a finish that is now readily available in light fixtures that work beautifully in kitchens and bathrooms.

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Winter Reno - Timeless Paint Colors for Kitchens, Bedrooms and Living rooms

Kitchen

sherwinwilliams.com

If you are looking for a timeless paint color for you kitchen a soft green is great way to go. Green  is perfect for a kitchen because of its natural and earthy connotations. Who doesn't want to walk into their kitchen and think “fresh” or “clean”? The reason we specify a “soft green” in this case is so that the color does not overwhelm the space. This is also what keeps the color timeless because fads of bold and bright my come and go but a soft and muted hue will stand the test of time. One of our favorites is Filmy Green from Sherwin Williams

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Bedroom

sherwinwilliams.com

When it comes to paint colors for the bedroom, think soft and warm. You don't want your bedroom to have a cold feeling at all because it should feel like your oasis and most comfortable place in the house. Choosing a nice beige for your bedroom is a classic choice as long as you stay away from anything too bland or dry, otherwise known as “builder beiges”. One great color we like to use for this is Balanced Beige by Sherwin Williams. You don't have to worry about this going out of style or being a fading trend because it is truly a classic look.

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Living Room

sherwinwilliams.com

Although gray paint colors are HUGE right now, a safer choice in terms of staying power would be a greige paint color (gray and beige combined). This combines the popularity and on trend gray with the classic and timeless beige. What a perfect combo! This color can really work well in any room of the house, especially if you have an open concept floor plan where many rooms are open to one another. A great go-to greige is Amazing Gray from Sherwin Williams.

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How to put Together a Kitchen Renovation Timeline

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There is no “standard” kitchen renovation timeline simply because every kitchen is a different size and renovation needs vary.  You have to factor in the availability of the sub-contractors (electricians, plumbers, etc). Ideally you can line them up back to back, but it rarely works out perfectly, so expect a couple days of downtime where no work is being done on your project. 

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If you have all your selections made and materials ordered before demo begins, a project could be completed in as little as 6 weeks. If there are a lot of custom elements, walls torn down, plumbing moved, or hiccups in the project it could take as long as 3 months. 

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Typically, cabinets take 4 weeks to manufacture.  When having custom cabinets made, the timeline can increase to 12 weeks or more, depending on the workload of the carpenter.

Most materials, such as tile, take 3 weeks from order to delivery, assuming the stock is good.

Granite takes 2-3 weeks from template to installation. The template cannot take place until your cabinets have been installed.

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

When talking with your contractor about the timeline of the project, add 2 weeks to the total timeframe.  This is simply to offer a buffer in case of any surprises found along the way.  Surprises could be anything from materials being backordered, to discovering the wall you want to tear out has an HVAC vent running through it, to ripping up the floor and finding rotten floor joists. Building codes also offer challenges in the renovation process. What may have been up to code when your house was built, may now be out of date and require some changes while you are renovating (think plumbing and electrical).

Countertops: Granite, Marble, or Something else? How to Decide

Granite

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Granite is one of the most popular choices for countertops. There are a number of reasons for this, one being its gorgeous pattern and variation. It is also very durable as well as stain and heat resistant. Granite requires occasional sealants to improve its luster as well as its longevity. This is not as tumultuous as some make it out to be however. There are many products such as granite wipes that help with this between sealants. 

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Marble

Polka Dots & Rosebuds Interiors

Marble is a very beautiful and luxurious material that is also very on trend right now. Marble also requires a high grade sealant. It is unfortunately the most porous of the countertop varieties. This means that it is more susceptible to staining. This makes marble not the most ideal for households that need to be kid friendly. 

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Quartz

imperialhomecenter.com

Quartz is very similar to granite except that it is not a completely natural material. This is a great choice if you want as little upkeep as possible because it does not require any sealing and is very durable. The down side to quartz is that it does not have as much natural looking veining and color flecks like both granite and marble do naturally. 

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