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Inspired Remodels

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Kitchen and Bath Remodeling with Shaker Cabinets

By / custom cabinets / Comments Off on Kitchen and Bath Remodeling with Shaker Cabinets

There once was a tune that had a refrain, “Everything old is new again”. That ditty from the past might have been referring to the resurgence in popularity of Shaker cabinets for kitchen and bath remodeling. Match this clean, classic look with almost any decor.

Understand Shakers to Understand the Furniture

The cabinets that are so popular with kitchen and bath remodeling projects are just a take on classic Shaker furniture. To understand Shaker furniture, you’ve got to understand the Shakers.

The Shakers were members of  the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing. The religion was first organized in England in 1847 and members crossed the Atlantic Ocean in the 1780’s to set up communities in the new colonies.

Shaker is a shortened version of Shaking Quaker. The name refers to their movements during worship. As spiritualists, Shakers believed that they received messages from God as they moved during worship.  Shaker furniture doesn’t shake however, it is rock solid and simple.

That’s because simplicity, utility and honesty guided their core beliefs. Instead of being adorned with ornate decoration, Shaker furniture was simple and functional. Those core beliefs are embodied in today’s Shaker cabinets, that aren’t made by Shakers.

While the Shakers had a very successful furniture empire by the 1860’s there is only one Shaker community left today. However, their timeless designs live on today.

kitchen and bath remodeling both make use of Shaker cabinets

Shaker Cabinets in the Bathroom

Recessed panels give Shaker cabinets their distinctive look. Clean and simple. Function fused with beauty that’s perfect for a variety of decor.

Use Shaker cabinets in a spa bathroom and they’ll contribute to the serene look.

Use a dark stain, match with brushed nickel and you’ve got a modern vibe from a very old design. It’s the simplicity of Shaker cabinets that make them so appealing.

Think of Shaker cabinets in the bathroom as a blank canvass. Different stains and different hardware make the same cabinet look completely different.

Ready for a new look? Switch out the hardware and the cabinets look different. Now that’s the easiest kitchen and bathroom remodeling project you will ever do!

Shaker cabinets are popular in kitchen and bathroom remodeling because they match any decorShaker Cabinets in the Kitchen

Shaker cabinets in the kitchen? Yes, please! Those clean lines that shine in the bathroom do their magic in kitchens too.

Shaker cabinets are showing up in kitchen all over Orange County. They are one of the most requested design elements when it comes to kitchen remodeling.

Once again, it’s because of their clean lines. You can take a Shaker cabinet and change the countertop and the entire room looks different.

Shakers never gazed on the Mediterranean Sea, but Shaker cabinets go perfectly with this kitchen remodel. The whimsical tile backsplash isn’t overwhelming because the cabinets are subtle. The subway tile replicates the lines of the recessed panels.

Shaker cabinets are at home in a traditional, modern, Mediterranean, ranch or farmhouse style kitchen. Where French Provincial is limiting, Shaker design is only limited by your imagination.

Inspired Kitchen and Bath Remodeling

Does the thought of new Shaker cabinets in the kitchen or bathroom inspire you? Then talk to Inspired Remodels and turn those kitchen and bathroom remodeling dreams into reality.

Complete design and remodeling services at your fingertips. With the honesty and integrity of Shaker cabinets, Joe and Jason Mueller transform your living spaces. Call (949) 716-1938 or Contact Us online today.

 

General Contractors Guide to Tile

By / Bathroom Remodel, Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off on General Contractors Guide to Tile

It doesn’t matter if you are thinking of updating one room or the whole house. Chances are you are thinking about tile. With so many types of tile on the market, picking the right tile is tough. Inspired Remodels takes the headache out of picking the right tile. Take our advice as general contractors, decide on the tile material first and then the design of the tile. It makes the job of selecting tile much easier. Here’s a general contractors guide to the different types of tile.

general contractors use ceramic tile in bathroom for durabilityCeramic Tile

Ceramic tile has been popular for hundreds of years. It is a clay-based product. You’ll find ceramic tiles in the bathroom and kitchen. They are on walls, floors, backsplashes and showers.

Ceramic tile is an easy care material. Like other hard surface materials, you can wipe up spills easily, vacuum and wet mop tile. Glazed tile doesn’t normally stain and it doesn’t absorb water. However,  like with all tiles, you’ll want to seal the grout to protect staining, but ceramic tile itself does not need sealing. Because it is impervious to water, it’s perfect for bathrooms.

Ceramic tiles are made in squares, hexagons, circles and more. It is a relatively inexpensive tile. It is also not the hardest clay tile. So, it’s not the best choice for high traffic areas.

Porcelain Tile

There is a difference between ceramic and porcelain tile.  Yes, both are clay-based products. But, there is a difference in the clay based used to make the tile. With porcelain, the clay is highly refined and much more purified than the clay used to make ceramic tile. In addition, porcelain tile is fired at a higher temperature. The result is a tile that is more durable and stronger than ceramic tile.

Don’t use the terms ceramic tile and porcelain tile interchangeably. They aren’t the same. Porcelain is more expensive than ceramic because it is more durable. Like ceramic tiles, it is glazed and will not absorb water. It’s equally at home in the bathroom as in the kitchen, hallways, mudrooms or other frequently trafficked areas.

If you pick ceramic or porcelain tile, when choosing the actual tile color or design, make sure it is a through-tile. This means the color is not only applied to the top of the tile but permeates through. This is a very important feature. Surface colored tile shows every chip and ding.

Satillo or Terracotta Tile

When you think satillo or terracotta tile, you usually think of patios and entryways. But it can be used indoors as well. This clay-based tile is not glazed and needs to be resealed every few years whether installed inside or outside.

It’s a warm looking and feeling tile. Satillo tile doesn’t get as cold underfoot at ceramic or porcelain. But, because it absorbs water, you don’t want to use it in the shower. But it’s perfect for sunrooms and transitional spaces.

Stone Tile

Limestone, marble and slate are all popular tiles for use throughout the house. Each type of stone has its challenges when it comes to installation. Installing stone tiles isn’t a DIY undertaking. This is one place where the work is best left in the hands of general contractors.

That being said, stone tiles are popular on bathroom floors, in showers, on walls and backsplashes. Depending on the stone you pick, it may need sealing periodically. Granite floors can be slippery and limestone is easily damaged by the wrong pH cleaner.

Talk to your general contractor about how you will use a space and who will use a space to determine if the stone you have in mind is a good match for your application.

Stone tiles can look warm (think limestone or slate) or cool (think granite or marble). When it comes to cost, stone will be more expensive than ceramic or porcelain. But with the proper care, it will last much longer.

Glass and Metal

These two materials get an honorable mention for their decorative applications. They are not suitable for floors, but make lovely accent tiles on walls, fireplaces, and backsplashes. Glass and metal may be mixed with other materials in a mosaic design. Both materials are easily scratched, so take care when cleaning.

General Contractors Make the Difference

When it comes to new tiles for the floors or walls, the general contractor you pick does make a difference. General contractors that have your best interest in mind will let you know if a material you pick isn’t the best material for the application.  Respect their expertise and listen closely to their recommendations. When it comes to making dreams a reality, turn to Inspired Remodels. They will guide you through the design process and make sure the remodel is not only beautiful but functional.

Call (949) 716-1938 or Contact Us online today to talk about your next remodel or renovation. And if you decide to move instead of remodel, we can help with that too. Inspired Realty is our complete real estate brokerage firm.

Residential Remodeling Contractor Explains Barn Door Popularity

By / Home Improvement / Comments Off on Residential Remodeling Contractor Explains Barn Door Popularity

Barn doors are showing up all over Orange County. Joe Mueller, an Orange County residential remodeling contractor and licensed real estate agent, explains the appeal.

Barn Doors as Art

When you think “door” you don’t usually think “art”. But that’s not true with barn doors. A large part of their appeal is that not only do they serve as doors, they act as permanent art installments.

residential remodeling contractor adds barn doors as artWhen these barn doors are closed, they provide privacy for the bathroom. At the same time, the wood of the doors, the hardware and the simple Shaker-like design create art. And while the two rooms use two different neutral palettes, the barn doors as art pull both rooms together. A four or six panel door painted with matching trim paint just wouldn’t give the same effect.

Rooted in tradition with a modern twist is what Orange County homeowners want in their homes. Barn doors deliver.

Barn Doors Deliver Value

Barn doors don’t just deliver good looks, they deliver value as well. Zillow research finds that homes with barn doors sell faster and sell at a premium price.

Mentioning “barn doors” in the property listing can result in a sale of 13% more than expected and a sale in as little as 60 days.  That’s because when people search online for homes, they are adding keywords to their search. So, “barn doors” can be as much a part of the search as “3 bedrooms”. And when it comes time to sell, what you list is almost as important as how you list it.

According to the National Association of Realtors, 50% of home buyers start their search online. That’s more than starting with a real estate agent, open house, yard sign, and word of mouth from friends or family combined.

So, feel free to add those barn doors to separate bedrooms and bathrooms, adorn kitchen pantries, and provide division between living areas.

Residential Remodeling Contractor That’s A Real Estate Agent?

Joe Mueller understands the total impact a remodel makes on a home. Not just visually, but financially as well. That’s because Joe is the Orange County residential remodeling contractor that’s also a real estate agent. He is the principal behind Inspired Realty.

So, when you talk remodel, Joe knows how changes affect the value of your home. The addition of a barn door is just one example.  Joe also knows that the same research on the keyword “barn door” also discovered that “subway tile”, “shaker cabinets” and “farmhouse sink” are terms buyers are using in their search. So, if you are considering a bathroom or kitchen remodel, it pays to consider subway tile or a farmhouse sink.

Call (949) 716-1938 or Contact Us online today.