Bathroom Accent Tile

Remodeling your bathroom allows you to choose a whole new feeling for the room, but it can be costly. One way to get the look and feel you desire without breaking the bank is to utilize accent tile in purposeful ways.

Accent tile is more expensive than standard tile, and come in about every color, pattern, and material you can think of. The most cost-effective way to use accent tile is to use a cheaper, plain tile all over the bathroom, and use the accent just in bits. The less you use, the less it will cost.

Make a visual waterfall with a thick swath of accent tile or make the room look wider with a horizontal stripe as a chair rail.

For more ideas, read this article at Houzz.

And the Kitchen Sink

Have you started thinking about replacing your kitchen sink? Replacing this one item can change the look of your kitchen, sprucing up your existing space. You have choices in material, with stainless steel being the most popular.

Under Mount Sink

Under Mount Sink
You may want to replace your counter top or leave it be. If you keep the existing counter top, you will want to use the same type of sink you currently have now: under mount, or top mount. With an under mount sink, you can see the finished inner edge of the counter top as it connects to the sink, which is literally mounted (or attached) underneath the counter top.

Top Mount Sink
If your counter top does not have an under mount sink currently, that edge is not finished as a standard, and you will need to use a top mount, or surface mount, sink. This means that the sink is sitting on top of the existing counter top and attaches from above.

Bar Sink

Top Mount Sink
with 2 holes

A bar sink is a shallow sink, usually 6 inches deep, as opposed to the more standard 8 inches of a kitchen sink, and is meant for rinsing and washing glassware, as in a bar or restaurant. You will want to avoid a bar sink for your home kitchen if it is your only sink. Larger kitchens may want to have both.


Price
The price difference between an under mount and top mount sink is minimal, but you can save a little money with a top mount sink as the counter top does not have to have that finished edge, or holes for your faucet, which carry an additional charge for labor.

Holes

When shopping for a top mount kitchen sink, the last factor you want to consider is the number of holes in the sink. You may want to look for a faucet you like (or examine the faucet you are putting back in) and see how many holes it requires for installation. Sinks come with 0-4 holes, which are used for the faucet, hot/cold knobs, and soap dispenser. The faucet you choose will specify how many holes it requires. Often, but not always, a plate can be installed to cover the extra holes. These are all factors to consider in your sink shopping comparisons.

Resolutions

This year, set a resolution you can accomplish: Resolve to finish your to-do list. Don't leave anything to roll over through December, like last year. Whenever you have little bits of money, put it toward a small project and kick it out; like adding those shrubs or repotting the flowers. Whenever you have a free afternoon, tighten those bolts and put a coat of paint where it needs to be.

Also, know your limits. If you have a bad back, a busy schedule, or just are not that good with a hammer, it is easy to ask your friendly local contractor for a helping hand.

If you feel you picked a project that you could do yourself, but you realize that you're in too deep, call me and I'll finish it up for you, no guilt, no questions asked.

Office Makeover

One thing that sets Benchmark Contracting apart from other general contractors is our ability to creatively envision with you for the best possible outcome. We work with your existing space, your budgetary constraints, and your ideas to design the perfect layout for your business.

Businesses have different needs in terms of privacy, soundproofing, seating, office spaces, lobby size, and front or back office billing areas. We will ask you all the important questions that you may not have considered to get you from "Oh, that looks better." to "This is my office? Wow!"

We even want to know how long your patients usually wait. Is it a short time and you merely need somewhere to store magazines so they don't look a mess and a friendly layout that works for both patients and staff? Or is there generally a fairly long wait with several doctors coming and going for their patients that requires a wider hallway and spaces for television and a fish tank in the lobby? Have you considered upgrading your electrical system to include more outlets for charging iPads and cell phones that clients frequently use while waiting? Leave it to us to consider all these factors and more!

Gravel Driveway

At first glance, gravel driveways appear quite simple - grade the ground flat, spread some gravel and start using it. Well, it turns out there is more than meets the eye. Adam Heath, Design Director for Mid Atlantic Enterprise, a leading hardscape specialist in Eastern Virginia, recently shared these eye opening tips on designing, installing and maintaining gravel driveways:

Tip #1 - Spend money up front for proper installation

Many homeowners think of gravel as being an inexpensive driveway material. However, Heath explains that affordable gravel drives are often not installed properly. “Forgoing a compacted base or opting for flimsy plastic or wooden edging will eventually lead to maintenance problems and dissatisfaction," he says, "you know, everything everyone hates about pea gravel driveways."

Heath explains the proper installation method of a gravel driveway as follows:

• Excavate down 12”
• Compact the subgrade
• Lay woven geotextile fabric so that it covers the bottom and sides of the excavated area
• Add 8” of base material, compacting in 3” lifts (well graded crusher run)
• Install edging (steel or anodized aluminum)
• Spread a 3” layer of pea gravel

When using this installation procedure, Heath says you can expect to pay anywhere from $15 to $35 per square foot. “A quality pea gravel driveway will cost less than pavers, but more than asphalt or concrete,” he points out. Heath sees many improperly installed gravel driveways in his area of Virginia that have ruts, drainage problems and gravel that escapes its boundaries. “I’d recommend switching to exposed aggregate concrete to reduce costs rather than skimping on the installation,” he concludes.

Tip #2 - Use Belgian block edging to dress up a gravel drive

Most homeowners don’t put enough thought into the edging material for their driveway. Not only does it contain the gravel but it also can serve as a decorative border. Heath likes to use Belgian block along the edges of the gravel driveways he designs. “When edging a driveway, the jumbo blocks that measure 11” x 8” x 4” are best,” he says. This is because the block can be set lengthwise atop the compacted base material and the three inches of pea gravel added which will leave one inch of block rising above the surface of the finished driveway. "If you’re interested in going the extra mile, you could lay the block on its face in a running bond or offset running bond pattern to form a decorative apron," Heath adds.

Tip #3 - Be prepared for annual maintenance

In reality, no driveway material is maintenance free - concrete will need occasional cleaning and sealing, pavers require weeding and joint filling (if no polymeric sand is used), asphalt must be sealed and sometimes tar has to be reapplied. A gravel driveway comes with its own maintenance concerns, which according to Heath can be kept to a minimum with proper installation techniques (see Tip #1 above). “We find that yearly re-grading helps keep the driveway looking its best for years,” he says. For driveways that are installed without woven geotextile fabric or 8” of compacted base material maintenance requirements increase. Without these two elements the gravel will sink into the ground easily and is more likely to be washed out of place by rainwater or runoff from irrigation.

Tip #4 - Use your driveway to collect water

Your driveway covers a lot of square footage; in fact it is probably the largest paved surface on your property. For this reason, Heath suggests using it for water collection. “Gravel isn't permeable by itself. You must design a driveway in a way that allows water to pass through into an underground reservoir. Generally speaking you have a layer of #2 or #3 gravel, then #57, #8 as your setting bed, and then your pea gravel. Depending on the water collection needs the depth of each layer will vary,” he explains. The water collected from your driveway can then be used to supplement landscape irrigation needs. Products Heath mentioned using for this type of application are Gravelpave2 and Rainstore3 from Invisible Structures, Inc.

Tip #5 - Avoid ruts by making the surface layer of pea gravel shallow

Many people avoid gravel driveways because they don’t like the unkempt look of tire ruts. “When the gravel is too deep it moves around while cars drive over it,” says Heath. “We never spread more than a three inch layer of pea gravel.” Keeping the top layer of gravel shallow will mitigate general shifting and lessen the need to regrade.

Using the Gravelpave2 system from Invisible Structures (as mentioned in Tip #4), can also help keep gravel in place. In this case, only one inch of gravel should be spread. The grid below the gravel holds it in place and prevents ruts. However, Heath points out that with this system re-grading may be needed more frequently to keep the grid-work from showing through.

Tip #6 - Use local stone for a color that will look natural

Most regions have their own distinct color of gravel that is readily available. “Here in Williamsburg darker browns and beiges are common, if you move south to North Carolina the colors get lighter,” says Heath. If you want your driveway to look natural in its wider context, select a gravel color that comes from a local source. However, if you have your heart set on a certain color, anything can be obtained for an added price.

Tip #7 - Consider how gravel will look with the style of your home

When making decisions about the design of your driveway, including the materials you will use, start by taking cues from the style of your home. “Gravel pairs especially well with Colonial or country estates, while it may not be the best choice for a modern home,” says Heath. “I rarely suggest a gravel drive for clients that want a clean, crisp and contemporary landscape.” If you’re looking to enhance the historical roots of your property, he does say that gravel is well suited for your home.

Tip #8 - Let your climate dictate whether you use gravel

When making improvements to your landscape your climate should always be a top consideration. Do you have any extreme weather conditions - lots of rain or snow, blazing heat or high speed winds? “The biggest downside to gravel driveways is that plowing takes special considerations and a very experienced operator,” Heath points out. If you have snow accumulation on the ground multiple times during the winter gravel may not be the best paving choice. “One trick is to allow the first snowfall to pack down forming a protective layer further mitigating gravel migration or loss,” says Heath. As long as your gravel driveway is installed properly (see Tip #1), rain, heat and wind should have little impact on the surface.

Source: Landscaping Network

Designing for a Galley Kitchen

Galley Kitchen
A Basic, Inexpensive Kitchen Design that Really Works for You
By Lee Wallender, About.com Guide

Think the galley kitchen is working against you? Think again. The galley kitchen is a classic, and it works beautifully with your remodeling--and with your eventual cooking needs.

FAQs About the Galley Kitchen

Yes, the name “galley kitchen” really needs to be changed, as it evokes images of tiny propane stoves on sailboats (it is often called a corridor-style kitchen, too).

Q: What is a Galley Kitchen? 

A: A galley kitchen is defined as a long, narrow kitchen that has counters on either side of a central walkway. The counters can be interspersed with appliances, sink, cabinetry and other functional items.

Q: What Benefits Do Galley Kitchens Have? 

A: Galley kitchens are, by nature, small. So, you have the cost-saving benefits of size. Also, galley kitchens are ergonomically superior to other kitchen design layouts.

• You save space in your house for other rooms. 
• Because countertops are one of the most expensive elements in the kitchen, this cost is drastically minimized. 
• The major kitchen services (water, electrical, etc.) are kept together. 
• An excellent use of the kitchen triangle design. 
• You save money because you can use stock kitchen cabinets. 

Q: Can I Remodel My Galley Kitchen Myself? 

A: Yes. A typical galley kitchen might range from 100-150 square feet, a very manageable size for a DIY remodeling job.

Steps to Galley Kitchen Remodeling

The galley kitchen can be remodeled much like any other kitchen, but there are a few exceptions. Take note of the following:

1. Use Kitchen Designs Appropriate for the Galley Kitchen. Kitchen islands, breakfast bars, and other similar things only suck away room from the galley kitchen. You’ll need to keep the galley kitchen to the basics: upper and lower cabinets, counters, refrigerator, sink, stove/oven, and possibly a dishwasher. 
2. Watch the Sink. Huge farmhouse sinks or sinks angled at 45 degrees are great ways to waste space. Instead, look for scaled-down sinks and keep sinks parallel to the counters. 
3. Find Creative Space-Saving Ideas. Pushing kitchen cabinets all the way to the ceiling maximizes storage space, though this does tend to create an imposing presence. If storage isn’t all that important to you, then pull the cabinets down six inches to give you more breathing room. Use lazy-susans and roll-out shelves to better utilize that often-wasted space at the back of cabinets. 
4. Consider Blocking Off a Window. This is one of the more painful decisions to make. Does the window give you ample light and air? If not—and if you really need cabinets—you can install a drywall “plug” over the window, and then run the cabinets right across. 
5. Use Light and Neutral Shades. Lighter tones will make your galley kitchen feel much larger. You can use brighter shades for nearly everything in your galley kitchen: counters, cabinets, flooring, wall paint, and even appliances. 

Source: Home Renovations

Small Kitchen Makeover

Do you have a tiny kitchen, but your current setup is not working with the space you have? Here are some tips and tricks for redesigning a small kitchen for functionality and appearance:

Choose smaller appliances. European appliances tend to be thinner than US appliances, so their smaller spaces are better designed. Look for a European brand when shopping for a smartly designed dishwasher to keep all the modern conveniences with the same cleaning capacity.

Move the faucet. In addition to having a smaller basin, get rid of the faucet built into the sink and mount it to the wall.

Switch out the oven. A convection/electrical oven will allow you to double burner size with a turn of the knob instead of having burners that you never use. Opt for a narrow model, about 24", which is still wide enough for a turkey, and often has the ability to rotisserie a chicken by moving the drawers.

Chill out. Your refrigerator is the bulkiest appliance in the kitchen. Search for under-counter fridge or freezer drawers for tight spaces, or replace your existing fridge with a narrow model that may be taller.

Lay it out well. The most important space in a kitchen is the area between the cooking surface and the sink. As long as this space is at least 36” you won’t feel cramped during meal preparation. Even if the cook top has to be within 6-9” of a tiled wall, it’s good to maintain these measurements for ease of cooking

Open up. Avoid wall cabinets which can make the space feel boxed in. Instead, use floating shelves for storing and displaying dishes.

Declutter. Keep only the gadgets and items that you truly need and use on a regular basis. After all, a professional chef can whip up a gourmet meal with just basic kitchen items. You can, too.

Source: Cultivate