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Home Improvement

Grey is the New White for this Renovation Contractor

By / Home Improvement / Comments Off on Grey is the New White for this Renovation Contractor

When renovating, updating, or remodeling your home you walk a fine line between picking a palate and style that is current and fresh yet will have timeless appeal.  A professional renovation contractor that also provides design services can help you navigate dangerous waters.  Inspired Remodels, an Orange County renovation contractor explains why they think grey is the new white for remodeling with current style and lasting appeal.

Grey is Calming

Gray, grey, gris: it doesn’t matter what you call it; grey is a calming color. The first hints of grey in home design started to show up a few years ago. What started as a trend for neutral wall coloring spread to accent pieces, furniture, trim and then on to flooring and countertops.  These days even cabinets are being painted grey.

In a world of conflict and chaos, grey stands as the perfect balance between black and white.  It doesn’t take sides.  The closer you move to black the bolder is gets.  The closer it shifts to white the brighter it gets.  No matter the shade, grey remains neutral and calming.

Grey is never in your face.  Grey is always ready, willing, and able to play a secondary role in your design. Grey doesn’t ask to take the lead; it asks to be the supporting role.

Grey Sets the Stage

Renovation contractors in the know, know that grey is powerful for providing a lasting backdrop.  For example, in this bathroom remodel the grey counter top blends into the background allowing the focus to be on the cabinets.

renovation contractor uses grey counter top inn bathroom for timeless look

Grey Vanity Top is Timeless

This bathroom can easily and affordably be updated in the future by painting walls, cabinets, or just adding different colored towels or accent items.  The grey allows you to “see” the other colors.  Take a look at this kitchen.

renovation contractor uses grey back splash in kitchen for neutrality

Grey in Kitchen Makes Cabinets the Focal Point

If your kitchen is getting a face-lift, talk to the renovation contractor about using grey as part of the design.  Kitchen remodels can incorporate grey in the counter tops, backsplashes, or floors.  This kitchen uses grey for the counter top and backsplash.  Any color appliance will go with this counter and backsplash and the kitchen can be easily updated by painting the cabinets.

 

Grey In Any Room

Grey can be easily incorporated into any room.  Darker greys can provide contrast with lighter colors to make a commanding statement.  For example, take a look at the use of grey in this room.  The darker grey actually draws the eye to the architectural detail on the mantle and surround of the fireplace.  Other more “traditional” colors would not achieve this same effect.

 

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Grey Provides Contrast and Ties Elements Together

 

Grey not only contrasts with the white paint it also ties the trim and floor colors together.  It doesn’t compete with the other colors, it complements it.  Walls and trim can be changed with trends, but the grey will always be in fashion.

Get a Renovation Contractor and Design Specialist All in One

When hiring a renovation contractor for your kitchen, bath, or whole house re-do you need someone that understands design as well as construction.  Inspired Remodels has been helping property owners in Orange County to achieve their dreams in home improvement for years.  As a design build renovation contractor, Inspired Remodels will work with you to come up with a design and palette that fits your lifestyle and will provide years of enjoyment.  From the initial design to the final clean-up, Inspired Remodels will be with you every step of the way.  If you want a renovation contractor that also understands design, current trends, and what will last and what will not, choose Inspired Remodels.

When work begins, you will be assigned a project manager to be the main point of contact.  We know that kitchen and bathroom renovation can be stressful and we want it to be as painless as possible.  Inspired Remodels will handle all of the plumbing, electrical, and construction trades involved with your project.

Whether you want grey to be your new white or are inspired to make changes in your home, call Inspired Remodels at (949) 716-1938 or Contact Us online for a consultation.

 

 

 

Changing the Conventional Wisdom on Orange County General Contractors

By / Home Improvement / Comments Off on Changing the Conventional Wisdom on Orange County General Contractors

Orange County general contractors often get a bad rap. People call them sleazy, unresponsive, unreliable, and dishonest. They refuse accountability. Then, when you need them the most, they disappear.

The contracting industry contains good and bad apples. Unfortunately, stereotypes rise from the actions of a few bad actors.   Inspired Remodels changes the view of Orange County general contractors.

General Contractor Horror Stories

Hire a general contractor and expect licensed, professional, and skilled workers.  The last thing you expect is a job that drag on for months. Or, subcontractors showing up to threaten placing a lien on your property because you haven’t been paid. That’s what happened to Robert S when he hired a general contractor to remodel his kitchen.  Read the entire horror story on Yelp.

Or, how about Susan? She hired a general contractor to redo her kitchen.  The job required the general contractor to replace ceiling popcorn with texture.  Sounds nice? Well, Susan received more than she expected.  The crazy general contractor hired a subcontractor to remove the popcorn and apply texture to every surface in the kitchen!  That’s right, imagine your ceiling and every wall covered in texture.  Talk about going overboard!

orange County general contractor adds blue lower cabinets and white upper cabinets to kitchen with grey and white blacksplashcustom kitchen remodel features blue cabinets

Design/Build Orange County General Contractor

Inspired Remodels paints a different picture of general contractors in Orange County.  See, Inspired Remodels maintains an active license, has full insurance, and keeps your best interest at heart.  They act as a design/build firm. Therefore you never suffer from miscommunication between the design firm and the contractor. So, whether you want a bathroom remodel, a kitchen remodel, or  custom cabinetry or flooring, they create the plans and specifications. Once you approve the design, they schedule the work. Next, they perform the work to your delight.

Patty G in Trabuco Canyon posts on Yelp

screenshot of Orange County general contractor review for Inspired Remodels on Yelp

Call (949) 716-1938 or Contact Us online and schedule a consultation.  Share your project ideas, budget, and needs. Then, prepare for amazing results.  Get quality work performed to your satisfaction with Inspired Remodels.

Article originally published on 7/29/2016. It has been updated to reflect current information.

Kitchen Renovation Must Haves

By / Home Improvement, Kitchen Remodel / Comments Off on Kitchen Renovation Must Haves

When you are planning your next kitchen renovation you will be thinking about flooring, cabinet styles, finishes, counter tops, ovens, ranges, and refrigerators.  Those are all key components to any kitchen renovation.  But sometimes its the smaller things that can have a big impact on the finished kitchen.  Inspired Remodels shares a few must haves to incorporate in your next kitchen renovation.

Drawers Over Doors

When you think about new kitchen cabinets, you need to think about more than the finish and style.  You need to think abut how you will be using the storage space.  For maximum efficiency in the kitchen, select drawers over doors for the base cabinets.  Instead of opening a door, bending down, and rummaging around to get the item you need you can just pull out a drawer and the item will be right at hand.

use drawers instead of doors during your kitchen renovation to make space easier to use

These Orange County homeowners understood the benefit of drawers over doors during their recent kitchen renovation and are glad they made the switch every time they cook.  Extra deep drawers are perfect for storing pots and pans out of sight but within easy reach.

Maximize Natural Lighting

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Make the most of sunlight.  It makes even small kitchens look larger.  Saves on electricity too as natural lighting can be used for tasks during most of the day.  Avoid heavy window treatments. They block light and make the kitchen look smaller.

Centralized Pantry Area

pantry wall next to fridgeDesignate at least one wall as your pantry wall.  This saves steps when cooking and makes organizing and storing groceries a breeze.  These remodelers applied this concept to create a wall that looks good and provides plenty of storage just where you need it. This pantry wall is close to the fridge, minimizing the steps needed to gather ingredients.  Another option is to place the pantry wall next to the stove, where ingredients are handy.  Pantry walls don’t need to be next to an appliance.  But if they are, the best looking kitchens use either counter depth appliances or adjust the cabinet size to provide a smooth, finished appearance.

Quiet Dishwasher and Garbage Disposal

As kitchens are more and more integrated into the living space, the sounds emanating from the room are becoming just as important as the smells.  You want to be part of the action as you cook and clean, but your family won’t appreciate the noise from overly loud dishwashers and garbage disposals.

When comparing features, be sure to look at the decibel levels during operation.  Normal conversation is carried on at about 60 decibels.  Get too close to that number and you have to shout over the dishwasher or disposal.  Not good.

Many models made by Miele and Bosch operate in the 40 decibel range, making them perfect for open floor plans.  As the appliance gets quieter, the price tag gets bigger.  If your kitchen renovation budget doesn’t allow for one of these brands, pick a model with a delay start.  This will allow you to run the dishwasher after you leave for the day or go to bed at night.

Undermount Sink

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Single Bowl Undermount Sink

Undermount sinks are not only popular, they are practical. With this style sink, the sink edge lip is mounted under the countertop. It works with solid countertops such as soapstone, granite, and concrete.  Laminate or tile counters will not have enough weight to support the sink. Undermount sinks provide a clean surface between the countertop and the sink. That means fewer crevices and cracks for crumbs and stains to hide in.  Just wipe the crumbs off the countertop and into the sink.  Clean up is a breeze. Speaking of clean-up, opt for a large sink that allows plenty of room to scrub those large pots, pans, and cookie sheets.  The lighter the sink, the more stains it will show.  Darker sinks won’t be stained by red wine, spaghetti sauce or coffee.

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  Double bowl undermount sink

Single bowl or multi-bowl is more a reflection of your cooking and cleaning style.  If you put most of your dishes through the ultra quiet dishwasher, then a single bowl is perfect.  If you prefer to hand wash your daily dishes, a single bowl is not very practical.  In that case select a two or three bowl sink.  If you have the space and the budget allows, a small prep sink is another must have.

Hire a Kitchen Renovation Pro

Hiring a company with expertise in kitchen renovation projects can be the difference between a dream kitchen that just looks good and a kitchen that looks amazing and functions like a dream.  Inspired Remodels can turn your dream kitchen into reality.  They will work with you to design a room that fuses function,, beauty, and your personal style.  Check out our portfolio of kitchen renovations and then call (949) 716-1938 to schedule your  consultation.