Dream Big With An Arlington Bathroom Remodel!
Are you planning an Arlington bathroom remodel and want your new space to feel bigger and more luxurious? We’ve got you covered. Whether you’re planning an addition or keeping an existing footprint, you can make your space feel bigger with a few time-tested tricks.
- Tile To The Ceiling: Taking the tile up to the ceiling makes any space feel bigger because it draws the eye upwards, taking advantage of the height of your room.
- Tile On Point: This is trade-speak for tiling your floors in a diagonal pattern. This detail draws the eye forward, making the room feel longer and bigger.
- Frameless Shower Doors: Shower doors with minimal framing and clear glass can make a space feel larger. Another option is to use a clear glass panel beside the showerhead as opposed to a door. This splash panel will keep water in without the space concerns of a swinging door.
- Less Contrast: While we love a vanity cabinet with a contrasting top, keeping all finishes in similar tones will make a space feel bigger. For example, a white vanity cabinet with a white Carrara marble top and dove gray paint is timeless, still has dimension, but won’t interrupt the eye.
- Floating Vanities: A floating vanity screws into a fully-reinforced wall. By lifting the cabinetry off the floor, your bathroom will feel more spacious, with fewer items obstructing the eye.
Hire A Professional Design-Build Firm To Handle The Details.
Design-build firms offer a one-stop shopping experience for your Arlington bathroom remodel. Schedule an in-home consultation with one of our talented designers. They’ll put together a game plan and connect with the carpenters to discuss a realistic design that works for you and your home. At Foster Remodeling Solutions, our perfect process provides peace of mind for an Arlington bathroom remodel you’ll love. Ready to get started?
Alternate Countertop Materials
/in Kitchen RemodelingIf you ever watch the home improvement shows on television, you might have the idea that there is only ONE acceptable surface for countertops—granite. The television use of granite makes sense; granite countertops are extremely popular among homeowners and new buyers, so they are an excellent choice. However, many other options are beautiful and functional too. We’ve put together a list of just a few of the alternate surfaces that you can choose from when you are replacing your countertops. By considering all possibilities, you will rest assured that your room has a personal touch.
Engineered Quartz
Today’s engineered quartz countertops are extremely low maintenance, resist staining, scratching and other damage. Additionally, they do not need to be sealed. Quartz is available in many colors and patterns—making them very attractive.
Laminate Countertops
These are the most budget friendly option, of course. However, today’s laminate counters come in designs and styles that are attractive and appealing even in high-end kitchens.
Wood (Butcher Block) Countertops
Decorative and functional, wood countertops are a unique choice. They are heat resistant, but they will need to be properly sealed to make sure they are safe for use when preparing food on the surface.
Marble
Marble can be expensive, but no surface offers a more timeless appeal. Additionally, marble hides stains and damage in a way that other surfaces do not. Like granite, it will be necessary to seal marble countertops regularly to keep them in good condition.
Honed Granite
Granite countertops come in both traditional (shiny) and honed (matte) looks. With two options, this means that no matter what your style you can find one that will work in your kitchen. The honed granite is unique when compared to “standard” granite, making it an excellent choice for those who want something a bit different.
Stainless Steel
This attractive surface naturally fights bacteria growth, plus the countertops are very easy to clean with just soap and water. Stainless steel is one of the most recognizable materials on earth—and gives your kitchen a truly one-of-a-kind look.
Recycled Countertops
If you are all about “being green,” one of the recycled countertop options today may be just what you’ve been looking for. These countertops are made of “pre” and “post” consumer products; choosing recycled countertops keeps products out of the landfill and reduces your overall carbon footprint.
If you would like to learn more about any of the surfaces we covered above, or you would like guidance on any other options, contact us at Foster Remodeling. We are your resource for new countertops and kitchen makeovers of all kinds in the Northern Virginia and Washington DC area. Our kitchen experts are excited to work with you!
If you would like to talk about ideas for remodeling or renovating your home in Fairfax, Mclean, Springfield, Woodbridge, Alexandria, Arlington, and Falls Church VA, reach out to us at Foster Remodeling. Call now for a free consultation!
It’s Remodeling Season. Vet Your Candidates Carefully
/in Additions, Aging-In-Place Remodeling, Bathroom Remodeling, Custom Remodeling, Design Build, Electrical Services, En Suites, Generators, Handyman Services, Home Improvement, Home Maintenance, Interior Design, Kitchen Remodeling, Outdoor Living, Primary Bathroom Suites, roofing, Siding, WindowsIt’s Remodeling Season. Vet Your Candidates Carefully!
You’ve been dreaming of that new kitchen makeover, bathroom renovation, or addition for years, and now you’re ready to make it a reality. Selecting the right home remodeling company can be the difference between realizing your dream and ending up in a living nightmare. At first glance, all the candidates may look very similar and tell you what you want to hear. But what happens when you start asking the tough questions. The strong contenders won’t shy away, sweat under the spotlight, or try to redirect your attention to one of their talking points. They’ll welcome the scrutiny and answer your questions directly and thoroughly. Once properly vetted, only the strong will remain, the ones worthy of your vote and your hard earned investment dollars. Here are some key issues to raise as you evaluate the nominees.
What Kind of Track Record Do They Have?
How long have they been in business? What kind of references can they provide? Is it an extensive list where you can call and speak to whoever you want? Or do they just present a list of rather anonymous testimonials? “Steve in McLean, Mary in Alexandria… etc”. When you ask for references does it take days or weeks for them to get back to you? These are signs that they may have a hard time pleasing customers consistently or have something to hide.
Does their Rhetoric Pass Your Fact Check?
Don’t just take their word for it. Do your own investigating and independently verify their claims to be true. Reliable 3rd party sources, such as www.guildquality.com, the nation’s leader in customer satisfaction surveying for the building industry, provide hard data on how companies measure up, as well as reviews from previous clients. Consumer Checkbook is another vetting source. They provide not-for-profit ratings of local service companies. Angie’s List, Yelp and Google are also useful tools. Check them all. Some companies may have a few glowing reviews on one sight and a few scathing digs on another. Opinions vary, but listen for common themes. The reliable metric is a combination of quantity and quality.
Do They Have a Plan?
A renovation is a complex project that requires detailed preplanning and skillful execution. The more through and detailed the plan, the smoother the execution will go. That being said, unforeseen circumstances will occasionally arise. For the unprepared, a minor setback, such as a part damaged in shipping or a weather emergency, could create a bottleneck that delays the overall project. A reliable firm will have a comprehensive plan with built-in contingencies to stay on track.
Do they Have their House in Order?
Do the companies you are considering have a “bricks and mortar” office or showroom you can visit, or do they operate out of a truck with a website and 800-number. Be sure to get a copy of their business license and current certificate of insurance. What does their contract look like. Is it a professional document that is detailed yet easy for a layperson to understand, or is it a cryptic legalese that only a lawyer can decipher. Or worse, is it simplistic and vague. The home improvement industry has suffered many a black eye from shady contractors who disappear after a deposit has been given, or even worse, mid-project. If they do finish your project on time and on budget, what does their warranty cover. Remember, a warranty is only as good as the company providing it. If they go out of business, any warranty they’ve provided goes with them. Make sure the company’s foundation is as stable and secure as the one you’d have them pour for you.
Would You Trust Them to Hold Your Baby?
When you renovate your home, you are essentially inviting a stranger, or group of strangers into your house to tear it apart and put it back together again. Who are these people? How do you know you can trust them? A smart home owner will make sure everyone involved is properly trained, licensed, insured, drug tested and background checked. Taking these extra steps will result not only in peace of mind for the safety of your home and family, but also for the quality of the work being performed. If a problem should arise, those who go through the proper channels have recourse not available to those who gambled on a lower price, faster finish time, or some other carrot dangled to entice an easy victory.
When it comes to improving your home, vetting the candidates is a critical step. After all, once your vote has been cast, you’ll be living with the results for years to come. Choose carefully!
If you would like to talk about ideas for remodeling or renovating your home in Fairfax, Mclean, Springfield, Woodbridge, Alexandria, Arlington, and Falls Church VA, reach out to us at Foster Remodeling. Call now for a free consultation!
written by: Dory Clemens, Design Consultant – Foster Remodeling Solutions, Inc.
Best Uses for Granite In Your Home
/in Custom RemodelingWhen you hear the word granite, you typically think of your kitchen counter or the type of kitchen counter that you wished you had. There are definite benefits to having granite in your kitchen, but there are also other ways to incorporate it throughout your home.
Kitchen
A perfect choice for your contemporary or traditional kitchen, granite is often a go-to choice for countertops. Plus, the versatility in color choices can match most color schemes – making it easy to match the rest of your kitchen. Granite is also relatively low maintenance and naturally resists scratches, stains and heats – so it’s the obvious choice for you kitchen. Whether your entire counter top is made of granite or you add a splash of granite as a functioning kitchen island, it’s definitely a solid choice when designing or renovating your kitchen.
Bathroom
What better way to transform your primary bathroom than with the addition of granite, it will instantly change the feel and appeal of the bathroom. Granite is a practical choice for bathrooms as it is resistant to bacteria and germ growth, which makes for easy cleaning.
Laundry Room
You’ve been trying to update your mudroom into a functioning laundry room and now is finally the time! Granite is a great material to consider for your laundry room counter-tops for many reasons. It can be your folding station or if you use your laundry room as your backup crafting station – the versatility of granite makes it easy to do projects with minimal clean up and maintenance. So whether you spend hours folding laundry or crafting up your latest scrapbook, granite is your go-to counter top.
Fireplace
Cuddle up on a chilly winter day around your fireplace. A fireplace that is framed with granite can become the focal point of your living room or family room. Granite is extremely heat resistant, so it’s a reliable material to frame your fireplace. Your friends and family will compliment your addition.
Outdoor Area
Whether you have an outdoor living room or a kitchen, granite makes a great option for your outdoor oasis. Why have standalone grills when you can create an outdoor kitchen with a built in grill and counter space? Your place will be the go-to destination for all summer events and BBQs! Granite is a great option for your counter tops and because of its versatility, it requires minimal maintenance.
So as you consider your home renovations, think about how granite can fit into your design plans. And for more help bring your design dreams to life, contact us for more information.
If you would like to talk about ideas for remodeling or renovating your home in Fairfax, Mclean, Springfield, Woodbridge, Alexandria, Arlington, and Falls Church VA, reach out to us at Foster Remodeling. Call now for a free consultation!