by Nathen Piper
Cabinetry is more than just a storage solution; it’s a critical element in defining the aesthetics and functionality of your home. For families looking to blend elegance, durability, and personal flair, understanding the array of options available is key!
In this article, we’ll navigate through wood species, cabinet styles, door designs, color personalization, and accessory options to help you make an informed decision that suits your home and lifestyle.
Wood Species and Stain Interplay: When selecting cabinets, the choice of wood is paramount. Different wood species react uniquely to stains, affecting the final look and feel of the cabinetry. Oak, with its pronounced grain, offers a traditional and rustic appearance, embracing stains with open arms for a rich and deep color. Maple, on the other hand, provides a smoother, more uniform look, ideal for contemporary settings. Walnut, with its dark and rich hues, adds an unmistakable touch of sophistication. Unsure what species best suits you? Review our FREE Luxury Home Cabinets Design Guide and see images of available combinations.
Cabinet Styles – Overlay vs. Inset vs. Frameless: The way cabinet doors fit can significantly influence the overall look of your kitchen or bathroom.
Door Styles: The door is the face of your cabinetry, and the style you choose sets the tone for the entire room. Shaker-style doors offer a versatile and timeless look, while raised panel doors add dimension and classic appeal. Flat panel doors provide a minimalist and modern touch, and glass front doors open up the space, making it feel light and airy.
Color Personalization: Painting your cabinets allows for a level of personalization that can truly make your space unique. From bold and vibrant hues to soft and subtle tones, the color possibilities are endless. High-quality paint finishes not only enhance the visual appeal but also provide a protective layer, ensuring your cabinets stand the test of time. For a modern look, consider a kitchen island in a complementing color for a little added flair.
Accessory Options: Accessorizing your cabinets is like adding the perfect jewelry to an outfit—it’s all in the details! Roll-out trays and pull-out shelves enhance functionality, making access to items a breeze. Custom drawer organizers keep utensils and cookware neatly in place, while under-cabinet lighting adds ambiance and improves visibility, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Custom wine racks, pull-out cutting boards, and open end-cap shelving make the space your own!
Investing in the right cabinets is a decision that defines your home’s aesthetic. By carefully considering wood species, cabinet styles, door designs, color options, and accessory choices, you can create a space that is not only stunning but also uniquely yours. Elevate your home with cabinets that blend durability, elegance, and personal flair, ensuring a timeless and sophisticated environment for years to come.
Scan the QR code to access our FREE Luxury Home Cabinet Design Guide with all the details!
by Nathen Piper
Mold is a fungus that is a necessary living organism for our ecology, but it could have serious health effects if humans are overexposed. Molds thrive in spaces where moisture is present and sometimes these are hidden spaces. It can be challenging to detect mold growth, as it often hides behind walls, under carpets, or within the ceiling. While mold prefers damp environments, it can also flourish in places affected by past water leaks or high humidity. Due to its covert nature, you might not be aware of the mold until its effects become apparent through various symptoms. Let’s shed some light on the elusive nature of mold and the subtle symptoms that might hint at its presence.
Mysterious Symptoms: Signs of Hidden Mold
Because every human has their own DNA strand, each person could have a different reaction to the environment. However, a few more common symptoms may include:
It’s important to note that these symptoms may not be exclusive to mold exposure, but if they seem to improve when you are away from home or during certain seasons, it’s worth investigating the presence of mold in your living spaces.
The Detective Work: Identifying Hidden Mold
Detecting hidden mold can be challenging, but certain clues can alert you to its presence:
Acting Wisely: Dealing with Hidden Mold
If you suspect hidden mold in your home due to unexplained symptoms or signs mentioned earlier, take action promptly:
As you embrace the cozy comforts of home during the fall and winter seasons, stay vigilant to the possible presence of unseen mold. Early detection, combined with professional assistance, will safeguard your home and well-being. If you have concerns about potential mold growth in your home, call us – we want to help protect you and your family!
by Nathen Piper
Ever wish you could bring the spa-like feel of a luxurious hotel bathroom back from vacation? You can! Whether you’re looking to do a full remodel or just add some touches to an already existing space, here are some trending design elements that will lend a little luxury to any bathroom!
BACKLIT MIRRORS : the soft light of a backlit mirror is not only easier on the eyes, but it also provides a much more even and flattering light in which to do your makeup. No self-respecting hotel would be without ones these days, and you shouldn’t either!
TILE ACCENT : highlighting the wall BEHIND the mirror is another great way to add a touch of luxury. Here we used the same accent tile from the shower, but you could use any complementing tile and achieve the same effect.
DOUBLE-DOOR SHOWER : frameless glass enclosures for the shower are nothing new, they’ve been the standard for many years now. But if you have the space, how glamorous is this double-door shower entry? Talk about a WOW effect!
WET WALL : practical AND stunning, a wet wall is simply an area covered in tile and pegs for hanging wet items. Be it wet towels, swimsuits, or even gym clothes, a tiled wall protects drywall and baseboards and gives you a worry-free space to allow your items to dry.
MONOCHROMATIC COLOR PALETTE : soft, cool colors are known to instill feelings of calm and tranquility. A bathroom that incorporates these tones provides a haven for easing into your day. Consider a cool color palette of various shades combined with a neutral white for an instant transport to a luxury spa!
by Nathen Piper
In short, YES!
But there are many reasons someone might choose to invest in an outdoor living space. Here are just a few…
COST-EFFECTIVE ADDITIONAL SPACE : When entertaining, do you often wish you had just a little extra square footage in your kitchen or dining area? Creating a covered space just off the kitchen will allow guests to go from one area to another. Add seating and a full, or partial, outdoor kitchen and your guests might spend more time outside than in! An outdoor living space can also increase the value of your home. It’s an affordable way to add usable
space without the expense of building an addition and makes your home feel more luxurious to potential buyers.
ENERGY-SAVINGS : Creating a covered space can help save electricity in the hot summer months. By building just outside large doors and windows, a covered patio can greatly reduce the amount of heat absorbed by your home. Likewise, rather than heat up your kitchen by using a stove-top and oven, a well-equipped outdoor kitchen can move summertime cooking to the outdoors. Doesn’t your AC deserve a break?
IMPROVED LIFESTYLE : Outdoor living spaces are great for people who love to cook and entertain! They can be designed to fit the style of your home and include such amenities as misters and fans, TVs, a fireplace, and built-in seating. A covered outdoor space will protect you from the elements while you entertain guests, enjoy a meal in the fresh air, watch a Texas thunderstorm roll by, or lounge by the fireplace and catch the game on your big screen. Your outdoor space can truly be made for year-round use!
Texas is beautiful in every season. Get outside and enjoy it!
by Nathen Piper
The holiday season is here!
While you may not want to start any major home improvements projects at this time, there are small things you can do around the house that will make your home feel more welcoming, your guests more comfortable, and all the cooking that much easier! Let’s dig in…
OUTSIDE YOUR HOME:
INSIDE YOUR HOME
From our GRS Pros Family to yours – have a wonderful Christmas and the happiest holiday season. We’ll see you in the new year!
by Nathen Piper
Remodeling your home can be stressful but hiring the right people for the job can help lessen that stress.
Likewise, nobody wants to pay more than needed on a home improvement project, nor do you want it to take more time than necessary.
The right contractor can help in both those areas!
Here’s how…
1. A true professional contractor WILL NEVER walk off a job
Trust us, we’ve heard all the horror stories! We know how stressful it can be to hire a new contractor. Your goal is a quality contractor that will listen to your needs and concerns, be honest about delays or issues they find along the way, and if anything isn’t right, they will fix it.
Before you hire, do lots of research, listen to recommendations from others, and be sure they have a presence online in the form of a Google listing or social media outlet. That way you know they have a reputation to uphold and they not only want your recommendation to others, they also want your positive online reviews. Contractors with no online presence are a red flag!
2. Contractors have a pulse on the current market
Right now, that’s especially important given supply chain issues and production delays. If you choose a specific tub manufacturer or a certain wood species of cabinet, your contractor will be able to tell you if that item is hard to obtain right now and makes suggestions on either a replacement product for faster delivery, or a reasonable adjustment of your timeline and delivery expectations.
3. Contractors have resources the average consumer does not
You might fall in love with a tile pattern only to find out the store can’t get it in stock for 6 months. However, your contractor might be able to obtain it from another source or directly from the manufacturer. We have sources and relationships that can often help in these situations. If you can’t find a replacement you love, let your contractor know so they can do some sourcing on your behalf.
4. Your contractor can suggest new things
Once your contractor gets a feel for your design “must-haves” and overall style aesthetic, let them suggest products for you. Your contractor lives and breathes the home décor and improvement marketplace on a daily basis and can often suggest solutions and products you never knew existed. Sometimes they can even suggest an alternative solution that will save a project time and money!
5. Contractors may have payment plan options
First off, never pay a contractor in full at the start of a project! Most require a portion of the total as a retainer to start, but final payment should always be due once the project is complete and signed-off on by you. Also, many companies now offer alternatives payment methods. Ask about credit card payments or other options that make it easier on your budget.
by Nathen Piper
In North Texas, we’re no strangers to outdoor Air Pollution warnings, but have you thought about the quality of air inside your home? Multiple EPA studies show that indoor air pollutants can average 2-5x greater than outdoor, and sometimes 100x greater! Knowing that we spend almost 90% of our lives indoors, it’s no wonder the EPA ranks Poor Indoor Air Quality on their Top 5 Environmental Risks to Public Health list. Poor indoor air quality can cause or exacerbate allergies, asthma, and lung infections.
But it’s not all bad news! Controlling indoor pollutants from airborne particles like mold, allergens, and household formaldehydes can improve one’s health and prevent illness almost immediately. Here are 3 easy ways to improve your indoor air quality:
Keep The Home Clean
– Keep floors swept and vacuumed and dust flat surfaces frequently
**PRO TIP: Using a microfiber cloth or damp paper towel (nix the aerosol sprays!) will gather dust instead of simply pushing it airborne. **
– Wipe down your ceiling fan blades several times a year
– Get pet hair under control by brushing your pet to remove loose hair and vacuum/sweep often
– Keep counter tops, sinks, and bathrooms clean and dry to combat household mold growth
– Do a deep clean of the entire house twice a year (furniture, walls, baseboards, windows, appliances, etc.)
Change HVAC Filter Regularly
Air filters trap particulates as indoor air cycles through the system, so filters should be checked and replaced regularly. When an air filter is clogged with dust, debris, and other dirt, your HVAC system works harder to push air through. This is not only bad for your system (it could overheat or worse), but it also impedes the work of cycling air and ventilating your home. And a stuffy house can make you more prone to allergies or illness.
**PRO TIP: An 8-10 MERV rating is the highest you need for a home HVAC system! Anything higher and you risk restricting air flow to your unit and doing expensive damage over time. **
Professional HVAC System Cleaning
Over time, particulates and dust get trapped inside the system in different places. Every 2-3 years consider having your system professionally cleaned as part of its ongoing maintenance. Doing this will increase the efficiency of the system, extend the life of the unit, and keep the breathable air at optimal levels. Make sure to hire a professional that specializes in this type of system cleaning and not just any A/C company. A certification you should look for is NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaners Association) and you can expect to pay upwards of $800-900 to truly have it done right!
**PRO TIP: At a minimum, a complete cleaning should include all registers taken down and cleaned, debris removed from supply ducts and boots, mixing boxes vacuumed and cleaned, and coils cleaned. **
by Nate Piper
Last month we talked about tips for your next bathroom remodel and I introduced you to a new product: Tyvarian Cultured Marble. This month, let’s dive a little deeper and talk about why we enjoy this product and what it could mean for your next shower remodel!
MOISTURE
Did you know that your shower sees about 1000” of “rainfall” a year? Basically, your shower area spends most of its life wet!
Did you also know that tile and grout areas are NOT waterproof? Moisture seeps through grout lines into the areas behind them. If you’re in the habit of resealing your grout annually you can make it more resistant, but when was the last time you resealed the grout in your shower? There’s nothing worse for a contractor than starting a shower demo only to realize it’s been slowly leaking into the walls of the home for years, then having to explain to the homeowner that mold and water remediation will have to take place before build-back, adding time and money to the project. But that’s the case often than not! There’s a reason shower waterproofing and sealing are a multi-million-dollar industry!
Cultured marble is unique in that it’s a composite base of natural stone topped with high-definition image sheets and a thick resin clear coat – it is completely impermeable to water! This is not the cultured marble of the 80s and 90s, this a completely new high-tech manufactured product that has passed every longevity test with flying colors AND is environmentally sustainable. And unlike natural stone you will never need to reseal it or deal with color-changes from rust and mineral deposits naturally occurring in stone. It’s everything you love about the look of natural stone with NONE of the upkeep issues!
COLOR
Mother Nature makes amazing colors of stone, but all natural products have variations and are limited by inconsistency from one sheet to the next. With Tyvarian you will ALWAYS get a perfect match! Furthermore, cultured marble has a wider variety of colors and patterns than are available in nature, allowing for unparalleled creativity, uniqueness, and style matching. So, once you choose a color palette, you can combine patterns to create a final design that is totally unique. Tyvarian cultured marble is installed in full panels and comes with matching no-slip shower pans, curbs, bench seats, and ledges for a clean and modern look that nobody will know isn’t granite or marble!
MAINTENANCE
As we said, Tyvarian cultured marble sheets are completely impermeable to water. They are bonded directly to wallboard with heavy-duty adhesive and are sealed along joints with 100% silicone caulk so there is no grout to seal or reseal… ever. Your finished shower is also very easy to clean! No harsh abrasives are needed, just clean your shower the same way you would your vanity – a clean, soft cloth and all-around cleaner like Pinesol, Scrubbing Bubbles, or water + vinegar. Want to make it even easier to clean? You can buff your shower walls once a year with Turtle Wax so that water and soap scum slide right off!
We love introducing customers to new products that make life and home-ownership easier. If you’re interested in learning more, we’d love to talk!
In the meantime, CLICK HERE for more ideas!
by Nate Piper
Bathroom remodeling is fun! But we understand the process can also be stressful. Before you tackle your next bath remodel project, here are some tips to make the process easier:
FIND THE RIGHT CONTRACTOR
DEFINE YOUR STYLE
KNOW THE PRODUCTS AVAILABLE
I’ve seen hundreds of products over the last several decades, but few have excited me more than this new take on an industry staple: Tyvarian Cultured Marble. You may think you know cultured marble based on memories of the 80s and 90s, but this is an entirely different product… a 2.0 version!
The Tyvarian process incorporates high-definition images onto cultured marble and yields a gorgeous aesthetic replicating granite, travertine, and stone, among others. The final product allows for design continuity that solid slab stone can’t produce. Made from a composite of natural stone and resin, cultured marble is unbelievably durable, moisture resistant, groutfree, UV resistant, and environmentally responsible making it ideal for customers tired of dirty grout lines, shower leaks, and the overall limitations of tile.
Do you seek a clean design and high-end aesthetic you won’t see everywhere else? I challenge you to take a look.
