www.housetrends.com | NOVEMBER 2012 HOUSETRENDS GREATER PITTSBURGH GREATER PITTSBURGH | NOVEMBER 2012 | VOL. 6, NO. 5 | HOUSETRENDS.COM | $4.95 & before after ISSUE Farmhouse Remodel Preserves History Modern Makeover In Squirrel Hill Bathroom Trends: Making a Statement
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Kitchen designed by: Kitchen & Bath Concepts of Pittsburgh, LLC; Photography by: Craig Thompson Photography
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The days of the “red door and white picket fence” dream home have been long surpassed. Replaced by fantasies of home theaters, negative edge swimming pools and state-of-the-art kitchens, the architecture and remodeling trends of today have undergone a serious makeover to provide both shelter and pleasure.
Lucky for us, the streets of Pittsburgh are lined with many of these sophisticated dream homes, and we are so excited to share with you what we have discovered.
It took true vision for our one family to turn their Civil War farmhouse into a stunningly serene Laurel Highlands getaway. Completely made over and added on to, the details in this home were made to mimic the original rustic finishes; however, the charming wine cellar was an added bonus! Next, we invite you to explore an inventive addition, nestled creatively into a Squirrel Hill back yard. What was once a choppy, traditional home now boasts large, open spaces, free for children to roam! Last, but not least, we present to you a modern marvel of a master bathroom, fully equipped with an oversized soaking tub, a spa-inspired shower and a mini bar. The materials in this space alone are sure to take your breath away!Housetrends anxiously looks forward
to our next issue, where we will be shar-ing with you much holiday cheer and winter escapes. Until then, check out Housetrends.com for additional home and garden tips and ideas!
Be inspired by the brilliant designs and trends in this issue, and we will see you again shortly, once the snow falls!
Sincerely,
Bill Slattery and the Housetrends staff
Architecture is really about well-being. I think that people want to feel good in a space... On the one hand it’s about shelter, but it’s also about pleasure.
-Zaha hadid, architect
a letter from the publisherwelcome
Mia Feinberg, Bill SlatteryPhoto by craig thompson
71 DECORATING TRENDS Bedroom Personalities Which style works for you?
departments 12 FRESH FINDS The latest finds in furniture, flooring and lighting
79 AD INDEX
80 HOUSETRENDS.COM Tips, recipes, resources and inspiration
on the cover 46 A Denim blue-painted bathroom vanity establishes the color scheme of this new guest suite. Photo by Craig Thompson
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fresh findsflooring
1 Vibe field tile by Daltile daltile.com. 2 Grand la Fleur rug by Capel Rugs capelrugs.com. 3 Madison blue weave tile by Stone Impressions stoneimpressions.com. 4 Paper Chain rug by Company C companyc.com. * Select items available locally at Bradley Michaels Interiors; Interior Advisors; Ceramiche Tile & Stone.
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several times before its final owner, Mary Schenley, donated her entire
chunk of acreage to the city. Today the land is known as Schenley Park and
is the second largest municipal park in the city of Pittsburgh. Frick Park is
the largest, and amasses a whopping 561 acres. Upon his death, the land
was donated by Henry Clay Frick and stretches through Squirrel Hill and
Point Breeze, with a smaller section spilling into Edgewood. In 1893, the
installation of electric trolleys facilitated growth in the community. Squirrel
Hill attracted some of the most prominent and pedigreed businessmen in
the country, with many of their distinguished mansions still preserved by
Pittsburgh’s History and Landmarks Foundation.
Establishing rootsBeginning in the 1920’s, Squirrel Hill has been a hub for Eastern European Jewish immigrants. It is geographically a quick commute to world-renowned hospitals and prestigious universities, making it a magnet for students and young profes-sionals from across the world. Forbes and Murray Avenues (known to the locals as “up-street”) are loaded with boutiques, long-standing pubs, a cultural mix of cui-sines and Pittsburgh’s legendary Manor Theater. Many folks find that once they have lived in Squirrel Hill, they are disin-clined to leave.
OPENING SPREAD: Double pane windows help to create an energy-efficient environment. OPPOSITE: The addition com-bines the kitchen, dining room and living room in one open space. ABOVE: Bold splashes of blue accent the walls through-out the addition. LEFT: Original dining room.
Such was the case for a young couple who, in 1998, purchased a three bedroom, one bathroom house in a prime location of Squirrel Hill. Between work and pleasure, living so close to CMU and the business district was perfect for them, but by 2010, they had four children and one bathroom didn’t cut it. “We loved our neighbor-hood and couldn’t afford to upgrade to one of the bigger homes, so we added on a 1,600-square-foot addition which was equal in size to our original house,” says the owner. “It gave us everything we wanted, in the price range we could handle, and without having to move.”
The couple went with Dan Meade, of Prime 1 Builders, as their general con-tractor. “To begin with, we discussed their needs and developed a sketch and budget,” says Meade. “It’s a service that we provide to clients before they decide to move forward with an architect.”
Once the couple committed to staying in their existing home, they hired archi-tect Christine Mondor, AIA, Principal at evolveEA, to design the blueprint. Mondor was ideal for the project because she’s known for her energy-efficient designs. The architect’s objective was always to “tighten up the envelope,” keeping heat in in the wintertime, and keeping it out in the summer. “Our utility bills are so low,” tells the owner. “Our electricity went out during the heat wave for three hours, and our house stayed cool the whole time.”
RIGHT: The 40-inch Wolf range sets the sleek modern tone in the new kitchen. ABOVE: Original kitchen.
Resources Architect: Christine Mondor, evolveEA; Contractor: Prime 1 Builders, Inc.; Flooring: Bruce Hardwood, supplied by 84 Lumber; Cabinetry: IKEA; Concrete countertops: Outlaw Studios; Sinks and faucets: Kohler, supplied by Famous-Supply; Range: Wolf, supplied by Don’s Appliances
“The house was a typical four-square structure, with small adjoining spaces, minimal hallways, and few places of ref-uge from family traffic,” explains Mondor. “We designed an addition that opened the small rooms into an open space where many activities could simultaneously take place, under a parent’s watchful eye.” The kitchen, dining and family room were combined in one expansive area. “I didn’t want a formal living room,” says the owner. “My parents had one when I was growing up, and we never used it.”
The owners had great faith in Prime 1 to complete the project while they were away. Meade built the majority of the addition while the family spent their summer in California. “We truly utilized technology to stay connected while building this com-plex project,” explains the contractor. “We had daily meetings through phone and email, and constantly sent pictures back and forth.”
Conscious decisionsThe couple used local businesses for
resources and focused on re-using materi-als to minimize waste. Concrete was cut from a curb on a local street, then sealed and installed as a step in the kitchen. “Active systems were selected to put the air-conditioning closer to the people who need it,” explains Mondor. “Systems like radiant floor heat allows for lower ambi-ent air temperature from the furnace in the winter.”
Heavily insulated walls and high-effi-ciency double pane windows also helped to lower energy costs. They also used a low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint to cut back on chemicals and toxins.
The spacious kitchen allows everyone to circulate without bumping into one another. “My Wolf stove was a 40th birth-day gift, and makes things really nice,” says the owner. “We have 10 to 20 people every Friday for Shabbat dinner, and we’re just cooking all the time.” IKEA kitchen cabinetry was creatively integrated with a
glass backsplash, creating a custom look. A private master-suite needs little more than the picturesque view of the treetops
beyond. “I wake up and see the sugar maples, and when a thunderstorm goes by, you almost feel like you’re outside,” tells the owner. “All our kids flock to this room and we read, play games, and do yoga in here.” A meditative glass shower dominates the master bathroom and glows with daylight, illuminating the architecturally precise details in this striking room.
The colorful kid’s bathroom has a poured concrete sink, which was a simple material that they were able to get from a local source. “Although the kids are happy with their new bathroom, they still seem to always be using ours,” laughs the owner. “But I have to say that the best part of having two bathrooms is that they no longer have to wait in line doing the antsy pants dance.”
Before& After
web bonus To see more photos of this project visit housetrends.com. Search: Comfort Zone
To find the right designer for you,Use our Designer Referral Serviceat asidpawest.org or call (412) 882-4424
Having the professional input of all three architectural, design, and construction services can offer many advantages to your next project. I asked a few of my current team members to address team work. All are educated, trained professionals with years of experience.Architect Maximilian Mavrovic, AIA of Mavrovic Architects PC, promotes this collaboration.
“The owner’s needs are open to interpretation, and a team brings a solution with fewer doubts. If alternate solutions are explored and discussed with client and team members, schedule and budget are met. One professional may have a keener insight into a solution because of a former familiarity.”Don Long of Long Construction adds his thoughts, “Having another’s design allows for critiquing in terms of
practical and construction viewpoint. A continuity of design and construction exists so that details flow and the finishes are consistent throughout the project.”
Larry Mayo of Mayo and Son, believes the homeowner wins if a team is involved. “Some homeowners do not have the concepts of what is being created. Visualizing is difficult and a team helps interrupt that challenge. Getting from conceptual drawings to construction brings clients comfort in the process.”Architect Matt Sutter, AIA of SōL Harris/Day
Architecture based in Canton, Ohio, supports team involvement as well. The usage of all three professionals avoids second guessing that can sometimes go on in a project.As a designer, I find early involvement helps me
help the client. Knowing your areas of expertise makes for a better project. There is no reinventing the wheel when your team members know what needs to be done. For the end product, working
with my colleagues gives me the opportunity to be certain that everything is perfect: the light level will be maximized, the space planning will be efficient, the HVAC will be comfortable, the structure will be secure, the installation will be thought out and completed to the best possible. Experience has taught me that each team member takes pride in their involvement and wants to see the completion greater than the “sum of the parts.” While homeowners are making great strides in seeing the benefits of having a designer early in the project, architects and contractors have long been on board. At project completion, true pride shines when all those little details matter most.Your project matters. There are many highly qualified professionals who can work really well together.
Interviewing and selecting your team deserves your time to establish it. The homeowner is the most important team member. You need to keep a working relationship, often involving a trust
factor with each team member. Homeowners considering a new project deserve to have the “A Team.”
Best to your next project,Kimberly A. Barnes, ASID
Kim Barnes Studio
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This family’s particular story began when Stuckley’s husband saw an ad-vertisement for Heartland Homes. He then visited a development in Pine Richland and fell in love with the Nantucket floor plan. After look-ing at nearly thirty homes, none of which could compare to the Heart-land model, the homeowner’s chose the Nantucket and Heartland.
The couple, who was moving from a Ryan home development, knew that they did not want that same “orga-nized community” feel when build-ing their new custom home, and they were thrilled to learn of the flexibil-ity of the Heartland Everywhere pro-gram.
“We were really sold after meeting the sales representative Dennis Huet. He was amazing from the beginning, as genuine as a person could be, and there were no high pressure sales,” said Stuckley. “Dennis assured us that Heartland Everywhere would do any-thing and everything that we asked, he was so overly accommodating. It was hard not to want to build with Heartland.”
With the home boosting a spacious 4,700 square foot floor plan, it was crucial that Heartland builders found a way to make more space in the back-yard while keeping the original struc-tural plans of the house intact. As promised, this family’s dream home on their dream lot was complete af-ter seven months, and they have not looked back since.
“This truthfully is the quintessen-tial home for us. Having four young children, the space we live in needs to be functional, not formal. We use
Right: The dramatic, vaulted ceilings and palladium encompass the family’s dining area, featuring a ten-person table and open access to the kitchen.
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every inch of space, every single day, which was our goal in building a cus-tom home,” Stuckley stated. “We live in our home, we encourage our kids to have friends here, we love to enter-tain and have people over, and people really love being here.”
Showcasing five oversized bed-rooms, a Jack-and-Jill bathroom, and a unique split staircase (the kids fa-vorite feature), the Nantucket model has proved to be very practical for this large family. At the heart of this space is the fabulously modern, gour-met kitchen, which is by far the fa-vorite and most functional room in the home. Complete with an over-
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Top: The oversized custom marble island is an attention grabber and also a func-tional space in the Stuckley’s luxurious eat-in kitchen.
Opposite: Bright, girly decorative accents and delicate chandelier epitomize the per-sonality of Stuckley’s daughter in one of the homes five bedrooms.
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Opposite: Complete with a custom Crawford ceiling, a full wall of windows and plush carpeting, the great room boosts an intimately cozy atmosphere.
Below: A two-story entry way lends itself perfectly to the large split-stair case, a unique feature of the Nantucket model.
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sized, custom island and a built in desk area, the Stuckley kitchen is a perfect fit for both the pampered chef and the stay-at-home mom. Christina chose a breathtaking crystal light fixture to hang over her island that gives the already stunning room that extra wow factor.
Stuckley, who describes herself and her hus-band as “not cookie cutter people or vanilla,” was thrilled with Heartland Everywhere’s com-mitment to custom building at a more afford-able price point. The couple handpicked most every detail in their entire house, and even made a few structural changes, such as adding the Crawford ceiling in their great room and the charming covered patio off of their break-fast nook.
“This house was not designed to have a cov-ered patio. The architects had to go back and make different accommodations with the win-dows and the slope of the roof but at the end of the day, that’s what we wanted so Heartland made it work,” Stuckley remarks. “They really aim to suit their customer’s style and conve-nience. Heartland Everywhere was an absolute dream to work with and we are so pleased with the quality of their work.”
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OVERLEAF: A pair of Harden chairs faces the stone fireplace, which is complete with a reclaimed wood beam serving as the mantel. LEFT: The large addition creates 5,000 square feet of living space and helps to connect the original farmhouse to the detached garage. BELOW: Sherrill swivel chairs covered in Farrar Stripe fabric from Lee Jofa add visual interest to the wine lounge. OPPOSITE: The addition was painted to match the original home’s pale yellow exterior, complete with dark green trim.
Historic preservation In late 2010, after 15 years of summer vacations and weekend getaways with their children and family and friends, the couple decided it was time to update the house to fit their lifestyle. The previous owners had built a sunroom onto the back of the house, but it still lacked the indoor comfort and modern amenities available today. They turned to architect Tim Morgan to help them develop a plan. “Since they had spent so many years in the house, they knew what worked and what didn’t work. They had also collected a notebook filled with magazine clippings and photos of various products, materials and ideas,” he explains.
One of the biggest issues with the origi-nal house was the location of the kitchen. Positioned in the rear corner of the home, the kitchen was on the opposite side of the house from the detached garage. The kitchen and garage were so far apart that the owner wouldn’t use the driveway, opt-ing instead to park in the grass near the side entrance of the home. “We decided
Before
that the best solution was to build an addi-tion that would connect the original house with the detached garage,” Morgan says.
Morgan enlisted the help of Jeff Martin, owner of Primrose Homes, and interior designer Joann Fullen. “Our job was to suc-cessfully build an addition that created new living space while preserving the integrity of the original home,” Martin says. “This addition provides an extra 5,000 square feet of living space, but it fits perfectly with the original character of the farmhouse.”
The addition was set back from the home in order to maintain the promi-nence of the original front porch as the main entrance. It also features the same pale yellow façade with dark green trim. “It was important to match the paint so that the new portion of the home had a bit of historical value as well,” Fullen says.
The addition made way for an open floor plan complete with a new kitchen, wine lounge and sunroom on the first floor. The original sunroom was trans-formed into a two-story casual dining area adorned with dramatic windows flanked continued >
ABOVE: The perimeter cabinetry is painted Sherwin-Williams’ Jersey Cream, while the island is stained to match the wood floors. OPPOSITE: Custom-made built-ins and a window seat, painted Benjamin Moore’s Rave Red, establish the color scheme in the casual dining area.
Before& After
by bold red custom built-in cabinets and a connecting window seat. “It is refreshing to be able to stand in the kitchen and be a part of everything,” says the homeowner. “We can entertain a large group of people and have plenty of space, or it can be just the two of us sitting at the table in the wine lounge looking out over the pond behind the house.”
The first floor also holds a new mas-ter suite and laundry room. Two guest suites were added to the second floor, along with a comfortable sitting room. The lower level was transformed into an entertainment mecca. “We love to watch football, so we placed three televisions into the cabinet in the media room,” says the homeowner.
The lower level also incudes a billiard room, wine cellar and a yet-to-be-finished hobby room for the husband’s expansive train collection. “Now that we’re retired we spend more time here, and my hus-band is anxious to get the train room up and running.”
Attention to detailInfusing a sense of history into the new living spaces was very important to the owners. The wide plank Carlisle Eastern White Pine floors throughout the first floor, as well as the random pattern slate flooring in the lower level, and elabo-rate molding and trim throughout the home keep that historic vibe alive. Other materials such as the wood beams added to the dining area and master bedroom ceilings, the reclaimed brick pavers from Old Chicago Brick used on the floors of the wine cellar, entry and the kitchen backsplash and the eye-catching wainscot-ing in the master bathroom provide rich textures and details reminiscent of old country farmhouses.
Thanks to 51 interior paint colors, 48 different light fixture styles and a mixture of rich fabrics, each room has its own story to tell. Fullen relied on the Milk Paint chart to keep the look authentic to country living. Other than the master bathroom walls, which feature a light blue faux linen texture, the majority of the rooms have a soft paint palette. This allowed Fullen to introduce color through the various fabrics, rugs and custom built-ins, created by Pittsburgh-based Heart of the Home. “When you walk into the guest suite on the second floor, that blue bathroom van-ity just pops and complements the entire color scheme,” says the homeowner. “It creates such a wonderful retreat.”
Leaving a markThe homeowners are also proud of their dedication to American-made products and the ability to repurpose some of the items originally in the home. Instead of discarding the old kitchen cabinets, the owner plans to incorporate them into his train room. The kitchen countertops were also moved to the lower level and the old master bathroom vanity made its way outside to the grill area. “The majority of the furniture in the house was made in the USA,” the wife says. “It was something that was important to us and Joann was instru-mental in helping us achieve that goal.”
OPPOSITE TOP: Needlepoint Navy and Twilight Gray paint, both from Sherwin-Williams, were used to create the faux linen texture on the walls of the master bathroom. OPPOSITE BOTTOM: The custom window seat complements the Harden pineapple poster bed that commands attention in the master bedroom. TOP: A cozy sitting area on the second floor, accented with a custom bookcase, encourages guests to make them-selves at home. ABOVE: This second floor guest suite is decorated in a cool palette of soft blues and whites.
Interior designer: Joann Fullen, ASID, Joann Fullen Interiors; Architect: Timothy J. Morgan; Builder: Jeff Martin, Primrose Homes, Inc.; Structural engineer: Capstone Structural Engineering; Mechanical, electrical and plumbing engi-neering: BDA Engineering; Wood flooring: Carlisle Eastern White Pine, WTM Exotic Wood Flooring; Brick pavers: Old Chicago Brick, Gavin Historical Bricks; Bathroom floors and walls: Marble, The Tile Collection; Cabinetry and built-ins: Heart of the Home; Finish carpentry: Mark Miller; Granite countertop supplier: Dente Classic & Exotic Stone; Granite countertop fabricator: Apex Surfaces; Plumbing fixtures: Crescent Supply; Stained glass: Rex Glass; Appliances: Miele dishwasher; Sub-Zero refrigerator; Wolf range, microwave draw-er and warming drawer, supplied by Don’s Appliances; Lighting, furnishings and accessories: Joann Fullen Interiors; Carpet: Joann Fullen Interiors; Stark Carpet; Landscaping: Blackwood & Associates; Paint: PPG Pittsburgh Paints; Sherwin-Williams; Benjamin Moore
Before& After
Thanks to retirement, the homeowner says they now intend to spend even more time here in Laurel Highlands. “We loved it here before the renovation,” she adds. “We have so many memories already and now we’re excited to start creating new ones.”
TOP: Old Chicago Brick laid in a herringbone pattern draws eyes to the floor of the wine cellar.
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housetrends greater pittsburgh 59
For some folks, the bedroom is their sanctuary. For others, it’s the kitchen. But for Karen and Chuck of Upper St. Clair, it’s their new master bathroom that provides respite from daily life.
VisualMasterpiece
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Artistic touches create a Zen-inspired master bath retreat | By Hilary Daninhirsch | Photos by Craig Thompson
Before embarking on their bathroom renovation project, Karen likely would not have pointed to her bathroom for a tranquil getaway. “The previous master bathroom had a country spa sort of feel to it, but we wanted something more ‘Zen’ and with a real ‘wow’ factor to it. We wanted a place where we could retreat and never have to leave,” she says. “I wanted to bring in natural har-monious elements to balance wood, metal and granite surfaces. I think to a very large extent, we have accomplished that here.”
Jumping off pointThe project started after the original shower door became loose from the bottom track. This led to the discovery of a small crack inside the fiberglass shower. Instead of fixing the problems, they decided to gut the whole room and start fresh.
That’s where Michael and Aimee Braun of Braun Design Partners entered the picture. The Brauns worked with the home-owners over a period of about 14 months to plan the architectural space, overall design and interior finishes. “It was truly a collabor-ative process,” says Karen. “That is the joy of having professionals; they can hold all the elements of the vision together.”
“It was very challenging because it was not a big space,” adds Michael. “There was quite a bit of thinking and effort to get all the parts to fit and flow together.”
Upon opening the double doors into the remodeled bathroom, one sees straight into and through the shower, which is all glass except the back wall. “It’s stunning,” says Karen. “You have the brown/gray tiles that go from floor to ceiling and the granite benches. It takes my breath away still.”
She adds that the pebbles on the shower floor are equivalent to a foot massage and praises the addition of the transom window above the shower door to help control the amount of steam.
Spa-inspired accoutrementsAt the end of the day, the owners have the option of listening to music while relaxing in the air-jet tub, which replaced an old whirlpool tub, through speakers wired from a receiver in the closet. They’ve also installed a beverage center complete with a refrigerator, coffee maker and glasses stored in a pullout cabinet under the bar sink.
Another desirable feature is the under-floor radiant heating. “In the winter, to step onto this, it’s delicious,” says Karen.
She also loves the top-down/bottom-up Roman shades accent-ing the windows. And, unlike the previous bathroom, which had a barely-functional closet, the new design allows for a great deal of storage space.
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OVERLEAF: A mixture of natural earth-tone tile comprises the mas-sive steam shower. OPPOSITE: Bronze mosaic glass tile accentuates the bathtub wall and overhead niche. TOP RIGHT: The Louisa Blue granite countertop perfectly complements the Café Brown Blanco bar sink. BOTTOM RIGHT: The bar area features a refrigerator and custom cabinetry to store glasses.
Artistic touchesHaving grown up in a family of art collectors, Karen transferred her love of artwork to the new space. While she loves everything about the new bathroom, Karen gushes about the Louisa Blue granite. “This is beautiful, such expressive granite with the blues and the colors of the shores; that’s why we had a piece of it cut to be like artwork to put in the niche over the tub. It’s so viscerally beautiful on so many dimensions; it’s carried from one side of the bathroom to another, so things are always in balance,” she explains.
That balance is carried through the whole bath-room, such as how the curve of the sink mimics the curves of the cabinets. “Details like that add to the harmony of the space.”
“Karen really wanted some different materials; you can tell by the look of the granite,” Aimee says. “A lot of people want to do neutral stuff in their bathrooms, but she really wanted to incorporate a lot of colors. We used a lot of blue and red, though she wanted a Zen feel, so to tone down those bright and bold colors, we mixed in natural stones.”
She adds that Karen’s knowledge and apprecia-tion of art helped in the collaboration process. “If I showed her something out of the ordinary, she understood how it could work. She wasn’t afraid to make a statement.”
The light fixtures above the tub and vanity were other artistic elements; they are on dimmer switches, capturing the Zen-like atmosphere when desired.
“We looked at this whole space as a spa,” Michael says. “We knew we should put in soothing music, which fit in with the steam shower and the wine bar. The old bathroom was a conglomeration of parts; the new bathroom has more of a flow.”
“Everyone showed a lot of intuition and respect for everyone’s ideas,” Karen says. “It was a great project to be involved with and even better to live in now. I’m just really glad we did this and I am so thrilled that the shower had a little ding in the wall; I would have put it there myself had I known this would have been the outcome.”
ResouRces Architect: Michael Braun, Braun Design Partners, LLc; Interior designer: Aimee Braun, AsID, Braun Design Partners, LLc; Contractor: Brian Bauer, Bauer Residential, LLc; Tile: sant Agostino Kayan Brown Matte; Porcellana Di Rocca Gemstone Dune; Vitrex Gold Bronze Marrone; Perfect Pebble French Tan, supplied by ceramiche Tile and stone; Paint: Ligonier Tan and Marshmallow, sherwin-Williams; Granite: Wildfire; Louisa Blue, Premier Granite and stone; Cabinets: splash; Hardware: Top Knobs; Lighting: Hubbardton Forge; Lutron dimmer switches, Lighting by erik; Frameless shower glass: Rex Mirror and Glass; Refrigerator: u-Line, Don’s Appliances; Doors: Trustile, Al Lorenzi Lumber, Inc.; Toilet: Toto eco soiree, elite Kitchen and Bath; Shower drain: Infinity Drain; Tankless water heater: Rheem; Medicine cabinets: Robern; Towel holders: Moen; Bathtub: Bainultra Thermomasseur Tekura, splash; Sound system: Bose, Pioneer; Radiant heat flooring: Raychem QuickNet, splash; Showerheads and faucets: Hansgrohe, splash; Sinks: Kohler Kelston; Blanco Diamond café Brown, splash; Window treatments: Roman shades; Steam shower system: Thermasol
OPPOSITE: The teak vanity is topped with a complementary Wildfire granite counter. TOP: The niche above the bathtub features a beautiful piece of Louisa Blue granite. BOTTOM: This transom window allows the user to control the amount of steam in the shower.
The National Kitchen & Bath Association offers advice on when and why to update
Many homeowners think their kitchen is outdated from the
looks of their worn cabinets, dated appliances and crackled
countertop. What they may not realize is that there are
many other reasons, more important than cosmetic, why
a kitchen needs to be remodeled. F The National Kitchen
& Bath Association (NKBA) offers the following tips to
help homeowners evaluate the current condition of their
kitchen and decide if the time is right for a remodel.
1
Children
66 housetrends.com
Adequate space
2
Depending on whether or not you have children, and their ages, your kitchen may need to be remodeled. Dated appliances and the design of your kitchen can be hazard-ous for young kids. If you are in the process of extending your family, you may want more room for cooking larg-er meals and lower cabinets for easier access to children’s food. Based on the NKBA Kitchen Planning Guidelines, microwave ovens should be installed 3" below the prin-cipal user’s shoulder but no more than 54" above the floor to avoid accidents. The NKBA also suggests avoiding sharp corners on countertops with kids around.
Are you satisfied with the amount of counter space, cabinet space and floor space in your kitchen? The position of your refrigerator or shape of your counter may be taking away useful workspace. According to the NKBA Kitchen and Bath Planning Guidelines, when replacing a countertop or chang-ing the shape of your kitchen, keep in mind that a total of 158" of countertop frontage, 24" deep with at least 15" of clearance above, is needed to accom-modate all uses, including landing area, preparation/work area and storage.
Article courtesy of The National Kitchen & Bath Association. For more information about remodeling and the safety of your kitchen, the full list of the NKBA Kitchen and Bath Planning Guidelines or to request a free NKBA Kitchen and Bath Consumer Workbook, and to find a qualified NKBA pro-fessional, visit www.nkba.org or call NKBA Customer Service at (800) THE-NKBA.
Traffic flow
4
Children
3Efficiency Location
Universal Design
housetrends greater pittsburgh 67
If your appliances are dated, they may be cost-ing you more money than you expect. New technological advances with dishwashers, dis-posals and refrigerators could save you a consid-erable amount of money and may be well worth the investment. For example, purchasing a dishwasher with low-energy consumption, delay timer and economy cycle or half-load button will result in saving water and money.
Thinking about adding a deck to the side or back of your house? Incorporating a door into the layout of your kitchen would be a great convenience for outdoor entertain-ing. You also may want to rearrange the position of windows to allow more or less sunlight or to watch your children play in the yard. When rearranging the layout of your kitchen, according to the NKBA guide-lines, the clear opening of a doorway should be at least 32" wide, which would require a minimum of 2'10" door. Keep in mind that a cooking surface should never be located under an operable window.
Is your kitchen accessible to individuals with disabilities? Will you be able to use your kitchen safely as you get older? Considering these issues is vital in a kitchen remodel. Employing Universal Design techniques in the remodel will help assure that the space is as accessible to or useable by all people, regardless of age, size or physical ability without the need for adaptation or specialized design later on.
If there’s more than one cook in your household, you may want to consider making more room around the main workspace. If you enjoy entertaining, you may want an open plan kitch-en that allows for more social interaction between the kitch-en and other rooms. According to the NKBA Kitchen Planning Guidelines, the width of a walkway should be at least 36" and the width of a work aisle should be at least 42" for one cook and at least 48" for mul-tiple cooks.
piTTSBuRgh designed by Spagnolo Design photo by Craig Thompson
piTTSBuRgh designed by Raymond J. Dortenzo & associates photo by Joseph Korona
piTTSBuRgh designed by Elise Denver interior Design photo by Craig Thompson
Give yourself something worth staring at when you are flat on your back in your comfy bed. Details add dimension and drama to an oft-forgotten plane. Forget white. Forget boring. Forget fear.
Tell a whimsical tale with treasures or tchotchkes that you’ve picked up during travels. Or arrange mementos that tell snippets of your life story. Go organized. Go thematic. Go crazy.
If you have the space, flaunt it. Add a couple of comfy chairs for a morning coffee niche. Power it up with a fireplace, big-screen TV and love seat. Think comfort. Think privacy. Think retreat.
If you are one of those folks who like to spend a chunk of time in bed in a sitting, leaning or lounging position, give yourself a cushioned backdrop. Soft reading. Soft talking. Soft dreaming.
a cushy lifea cushy life zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Covington, KY designed by RM interiors photo by Josh Beeman
taMpa photo by Johan RoetzColuMBus designed by grand Design group photo by nancy lambert
➊ Custom ConCrete sink with wall mounted FauCetAvailable at Concrete Zen3709 Butler Street412.882.1297www.concretezen.com
➋ luxurious textiles and designsAvailable at Evelyn James Interiors5870 Forbes Avenue 412.521.5220www.evelynjamesinteriors.com
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➍ non toxiC, organiC pillow, For a good night’s sleepAvailable at The Natural Sleep Shop20280 Route 19, Suite 1724.778.8200www.thenaturalsleepshop.com
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