Casual Dining Style: Eat-in Kitchens

Need a casual and easy going eating experience?  An eat-in kitchen might be the answer to all of your problems.  In today’s fast pace and busy families, an eat-in kitchen can allow for a busy family to still eat together without the need for formal dining.  There are really three options for an eat-in kitchen; counter dining, breakfast nooks or a tradition eat in kitchen with table.  Convenience is a driving factor for most families who are looking for a more modern take on the family dinner concept.

COUNTER DINING

This is the most popular option of the three and can accommodate almost all families.  If there is already a bar or peninsula in your Counter Diningkitchen, simply adding stools or chairs to the area will turn it into an instant eat-in kitchen.  However, this is not always convenient or safe with families with young children or older members of the family, due to the bar stools that usually needs to accommodate a bar setting.  This kitchen is a great example of how easy it is to convert an island into an eat at counter.  Most people are looking for space in the kitchen and may not relish giving up space for eating; however, unless someone is currently sitting at the island, you lose no space.  This is a great compromise of using the space for more than one purpose; it is house multi-tasking at its best!  Continue reading →

Kitchen Cabinets: Important Tips for Choosing New Cabinets

Oak kitchenWhen it comes to adding value to your home, put your money where your mouths are.  The 2 rooms that add or detract value most from a home are the kitchen and the bathroom.  Right now stainless steel appliances are the trend but there is no sense investing in them only to put them next to shabby cabinets in an outdated kitchen.  When renovating a kitchen, start with the cabinets first.  An older refrigerator or stove will look better surrounded by new cabinets.  Continue reading →

How-To Series: March Ado About Toilets

Since the start of the year we’ve been promoting remodeling every Thursdays, as well as our photo contest on Facebook. By the way, if you haven’t uploaded your bathroom or kitchen remodeling photos yet – go to Plumbtile’s Facebook page and look for the Photo Contest tab. You can also click this link: http://a.pgtb.me/4pnqmH to go straight to the contest! You can read the instructions there on how to win $1000 worth of bath and kitchen products.

The response to the Remodeling series has been positive and more and more readers have been asking about how to do specific remodeling stuff. We have decided to relaunch the Remodel Thursday series and focus on specific areas of remodeling.

This March, Plumbtile will be teaching you…

all-about-toilets

Today’s “how-to” is a back-to-back post about how to (1) install or replace a toilet bowl and its (2) proper maintenance. At Plumbtile, we have several brands that are easy to install- and with the help of our dependable sales consultants, you will be able to choose one that suits your style, budget and needs.

HOW TO INSTALL OR REPLACE THE TOILET

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_hVZ3rPzm4]

  1. The toilet flange (or the mounting base)  must be prepared first before starting this project. Depending on your bowl’s manufacturer, you need to align bolts (usually two) in the holes on the sides of the flange. Position these bolts directly across from each other. Follow the manufacturer’s instruction manual that come with your toilet bowl. Modern styles have different ways of mounting the flange.
  2. Then arrange the new toilet into place by placing a wax ring or gasket around the edge of the drain hole. Place the toilet on top of the wax ring, placing the bolts in the holes on the side of the toilet. Slowly press down until the toilet is seated flush with the floor.
  3. To install the new toilet, slide the washers over the bolts and tighten the nuts until snug. Do not over tighten or you can crack the ceramic. Apply the rubber gasket to the bottom of the tank. Set the bolts in the holes on the tank and set the tank on the back of the toilet bowl. Add washers and nuts to the bolts and tighten. Bolt the new toilet lid to the bowl with the bolts, washers and nuts.
  4. Connect the water line from the floor to the tank. Turn on the water and make sure there are no leaks.
  5. You can adjust the new toilet hardware by sawing off the extra length of the bolts protruding from the floor using a small hacksaw. Clip the plastic bolt caps into place. You may want to caulk the base of the bowl to create waterproof seal.Stuck? Read the full instructions here.

Click here for Part 2 – Maintaining your Toilet: Cleaning

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Toilets, bidets, urinals, handles, levers and more. Plumbtile.com carries the fullest array of toilets, bidets and accessories for both home and commerical needs.

Our Bath and Home Improvement Showroom features toilet and bidet products from brand name manufacturers, Cifial, Danze, Duravit, Hastings, Herbeau, Kohler, Lacava, Porcher, Sterling, Sunrise and Toto.

With exceptional service, free shipping and guaranteed price matching, Plumbtile.com can make your home improvement or commercial building experience simpler and far less expensive. From the home renovation project to the commercial construction industry, no order is too small or too large.

Please feel free to call our sales
associates at any time or browse through the brands listed below:

1-866-369-8180

Happy Weekend!

Join the Contest!

We at Plumbtile are thankful to our friends and all our loyal customers online. We have extended our Photo Contest promo to give everyone the chance to participate and win. The promo is now extended up to April 15, 2013.

If you haven’t heard about the contest yet, you will be pleased to hear that we are giving out $1000 worth of kitchen and bathroom products!

The rules are very simple. You just have to go to our Facebook fan page and upload a remodeling photo (past or present), and you will get the chance to win.

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Tell all you friends! Share this article and spread the word!

Again, thank you from all of us at Plumbtile!

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!

How To: Introduce yourself to a new community

Hi there!

I’m the new guy. My name is Jim Hedger. I am working with Plumbtile to improve the Plumbtile.com website. As means of an introduction, I am a highly experienced webmaster with over a decade of high level web work under my belt. I have had an extremely fortunate career as a webmaster and hope to become a helpful resource for my new teammates and for the readers, shoppers and visitors to Plumbtile.com. Continue reading →

Plumbtile's Modern Fixtures- A Eye On the Future

plumbtile-header1Don’t bother re-reading the headline thinking I forgot to mention a brand- I typed it correctly. We offer our own Plumbtile brand bath fixtures. We’ve had these products available for some time now, and now we’re announcing it via this blog. Plumbtile brand fixtures feature meticulously crafted faucets, vessel sinks, showers and freestanding tubs that are manufactured to the strictest European design craftsmanship.
Continue reading →