How to Install a Shower

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Homeowners have a wide range of choices when it comes to shower stalls.  Some are pre-fabricated (already put together in a kit) or all the components can be purchased separately to create a custom designed shower.  Just check out our website at www.plumbtile.com.   One thing to keep in mind is that with pre-fabricated kits it may be difficult to get all the pieces through an existing door (they would work absolutely fine though in a new construction area).  Continue reading →

Better Living Design in the Bathroom

Plumbtile: Hydro Systems

You have a bathroom that you just love and adore. However, you feel it is time for a facelift or in construction design terms, remodeling. Remodeling your bathroom is the process of taking your current restroom, water closet, lavatory, or whatever word you prefer to call it, and giving it a make-over. A make-over can consist of rebuilding or redesigning your vanity and or mirror, installing a better or more water-efficient toilet, or even transforming your shower-in-bath, to just a seven-person spa tub, or a two-person rain shower room. Wouldn’t we all love to do that?  Continue reading →

Brighten Your Kitchen with Blue

http://www.housetohome.co.uk/
http://www.housetohome.co.uk/

Are you looking for a way to brighten your kitchen? Bored with your color or theme of your kitchen? Then update to blue! The new trend for a bright kitchen is the use of using different shades blue. You can go traditional with blue and white, or vibrant with other primary colors like yellow and red as accents with your blue kitchen.  There are many styles you can choose to upgrade your new blue kitchen too.  Continue reading →

The National Kitchen & Bath Association's Trend Study

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Looking to find out what’s hot and what’s not in the world of kitchen and bathroom design? If you are still in the planning stages of your remodel, you might want to check the latest National Kitchen & Bath Association’s trend study: 300 member designers were polled for the latest trends and news about bath and kitchen designs and remodels and below are the results.

Curious to see what’s HOT this season?

GRAY COLOR SCHEMES – that’s right, shades of gray are growing in appeal for both the kitchen and bathroom, and been growing in popularity since 2010.

“Among the overall trends identified for this year, gray color schemes in both kitchens and baths have witnessed a dramatic escalation since 2010, particularly over the past year, according to a written statement about the study. “Used currently in 55 percent of kitchens and 56 percent of bathrooms, shades of gray are growing in appeal, creating chic, sophisticated spaces that many consumers desire.”

The appetite for sleek shades of gray in kitchens and baths might be linked to the colors popularity in fashion over the last few years. NKBA stopped short of linking the color’s popularity to the steamy best-seller “Fifty Shades of Grey” by E.L. James.

Despite gray’s recent appeal, white and off-white are still most popular, used in 73 percent of kitchens and 71 percent bathrooms. The neutrals of beige and bone come next in popularity, followed by grays and browns, according to NKBA.
View full article.

 

QUARTZ – second most popular counter-surface material used in kitchens and baths last year, and is closely gaining popularity to granite on the top spot.

WHITE CABINETS – this is a popular trend for kitchens, it has been a top choice since last year.

GLASS BACKSPLASH – this trend has grown in popularity in the last 3 years, it’s no surprise.

TOUCH-ACTIVATED FAUCETS – at Plumbtile you will find many of these trendy faucets, we love them!

For the complete trends for the bath and kitchen, you can view the full list here. Call 1-866-369-8180 and ask your friendly Plumbtile consultant about the latest trends, they’re always ready to help!

Your Bath Away From Home

Hotel bathrooms can easily impress or disappoint. Their details range from the basic toilet-sink-shower combination to spa-like amenities you might view at a tropical resort. Today’s society tends to live by the ‘bigger equals better’ motto and that applies to hotel bathrooms, as well.

masterbathThere are endless ways hotel bathroom design has transformed over time. Before thought of convenient ‘in and out’ spaces have become more personal. Many designers have decided to make the bathroom part of the bedroom by avoiding the separation between the two. Glass bathroom walls and shower enclosures create a sleek and open airy feel.

Why not experience the feel of ultimate luxury while staying away from home? Many hotel rooms have moved in this upscale direction for that particular reason. Most homes do not have open bathrooms, so having that different setup when staying at a hotel makes your visit that much more out of the ordinary.

Bathroom Size Compared to Bedroom Size

Think of hotels you stayed at 10 years ago versus one you stayed at within the past year. Do you notice a difference? In past years bathrooms were designed to only take up about 15% of the hotel room. Today hotel bathrooms occupy at least 20% or more of the total guest room size.

The News on Fixtures

You will find more updated guest rooms that are not shy about highlighting the once private bathroom facilities. Sinks are now often plainly viewable for convenience and could even be part of the decorative scheme of the entire room. Showers with glass walls are becoming more popular and you may even notice the lack of a regular bath tub. It is still somewhat popular to conceal the toilet in many hotel room designs. Doing so creates a more private feel for a guest that might be staying in one room with another person.

A New Luxury

New automatic flushing toilets are all the rage in Japan. It is not often on the wish list in our society, however it is possible this could become a necessity in the near future.

Check out this video from a YouTube user:
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThwfQeeZsGg]

Helping the Environment One Flush at a Time

Go Green! Some hotels are concerned about reducing water usage and they try to do so by incorporating low-flow fixtures, such as shower heads. But something screams luxury to a guest when they are being blasted with a high volume of water in the shower. Therefore such environment friendly fixtures might not always be favored.

For information on making your own bathroom more like one in a luxurious hotel suite, visit Plumbtile. And make sure to also visit http://a.pgtb.me/4pnqmH to enter our Facebook contest!

Tip Mondays: Key Rules to Live By When Remodeling Your Bathroom

Personal Getaway Destination

Bath SuitesA bathroom is your own personal private sanctuary. Even the tiniest decor details will paint a picture representing your own unique style and personality. No matter the bathroom size or your budget size, there are many options available so that you can put your own design spin on things. Here are a few tips to make the remodel process less head spinning.

Keep It Simple

You want your ideal bathroom to be a welcoming and relaxing place to unwind. Keep things simple and airy so that the atmosphere is always a soothing one.

Color combinations that include a pop of immense color alongside other neutral colors will add a classic dramatic twist without being overwhelmingly bold.

Keep in mind if the space you have to utilize is on the small side it may help to repeat your main design throughout. Continuing a floor to wall tile scheme can make the space appear much larger than it actually is.

Utilize the Current Space and Make the Most of It

Often times bathroom spaces feel cramped which inhibits the main objective of relaxation. It is always an option to start from scratch by tearing down the current cosmetic layers so that you are only left with the bare bones of the room. You can remove fixtures and cabinetry to make the layout more efficient. Plumbing is more difficult to modify and would likely require the aid of a licensed plumber if such changes were being considered, which can also up your budget.

Stay Within Your Comfort Zone

You don’t want your remodeled bathroom’s style to be so different from the rest of your house that it sticks out like a bathing suit in the middle of winter. Incorporate some of the same textures and color palettes that are in other areas of the house. You want your entire house to flow naturally from one room to the other.

Furniture In A Bathroom? Why not?

Bath FurnitureSure, you use this room most of the time for getting clean, but that doesn’t mean the room can only include a toilet, shower and tub. When it comes to decorating a bathroom, there are no strict rules.

Use this space to display subtle touches of depth when choosing other nontraditional furnishings. Incorporate staggered shelving to store towels and toiletries. Dressers, chests and armoires can also be great additions for storage or be converted into unique vanities. Decorative pictures, frames and mirrors put the finishing touches on a bathroom’s first impression.

Make It Last A While

Focus on choosing materials that are going to outlast the latest décor fad. You want your bathroom remodel to be timeless and classic so that you don’t find yourself needing to go through this change process every few years.

So many elements have proven long time favorites in the interior design timeline, such as claw-footed tubs, pedestal sinks and subway tiles. These will continue to withstand the test of time no matter what age you or the room grows to be.

‘His’ and ‘Hers’

If you have ever shared a bathroom with someone, you most likely have envisioned your dream bathroom designed for two. Make sure the materials throughout are the same or similar, even if they are slightly different in subtle ways. For example, a ‘Hers’ sink height may need to be lowered, as well as a separate vanity and seating area included.

Add A Little Luxury

The powder room is the place for pampering and you deserve a little self-indulgence. Additions such as large whirlpool soaking tubs, multiple massaging showerheads, and heated flooring can pack a punch to make you feel like you have a spa inside your home.

25% Discount on Phone Orders! Plumbtile is your source for luxury yet affordable and lasting products. Take the opportunity to call today and get a 25% discount!

The Top 4 Things You Missed at Dwell On Design

So for those of you who missed it last weekend, the Dwell on Design show was amazing. It’s the West Coast’s biggest design event, was at the LA Convention Center and is put on by Dwell magazine (check out their twitter here). The top names in interior decoration, kitchen fixtures, bathroom tile, modern furniture and advanced appliances were present to help turn the houses of today into the homes of the future. Continue reading →

How-To: Make a Kitchen with Modern Style

Updating a kitchen is more than just installing brand new Jado fixtures or Herbeau sinks. The entire look of the kitchen needs to be taken into consideration. How do the cabinets make the room feel? How about the different in color and texture between the counter tops and floor? Are the stylings of the drawer pulls congruent with the contours of the oven hood? So here’s a guide with an eye to modern design.

Continue reading →

Senior-Friendly Design

We focus on product spotlights so often I thought I’d take a left turn and go into a less specific field.

A while back I wrote a feature article about walk-in bathtubs here: http://ezinearticles.com/?Step-in-Tubs—Allowing-Bathing-For-Seniors-and-the-Disabled&id=2424362

This blog post is along similar lines, but with a wider view. What does it take to make your bathroom design friendly for seniors (or for yourself if you intend to live in your house for another several decades)? Continue reading →

How-To: Avoid a Remodeling Disaster

After seeing this article:

http://realestate.aol.com/home-improvement/ugliest-bathrooms

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I realized that many design rules are forgotten in all the excitement of designing a bathroom. Paint colors are being chosen; maybe a fancy new faucet fixture or tub spout is being purchased for the remodel. Whatever may be happening, details can escape one’s notice until it’s too late. Forgetting something like the highlights on a piece of furniture or the correct dimensions for your available space can cause a lot of headaches, wasting time and dollars. Continue reading →

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