Power-Up Powder Room

These South Shore of Boston Homeowners approached the Team at Renovisions to power-up their powder room.
Their half bath, located on the first floor, is used by several guests particularly over the holidays.  When considering the
heavy traffic and the daily use from two toddlers in the household, it was smart to go with a stylish, yet practical design.

Wainscot made a nice change to this room, adding an architectural interest and an overall classic feel to this cape-style traditional
home. Installing custom wainscoting may be a challenge for most DIY’s, however in this case the homeowners knew they needed
a professional and felt they were in great hands with Renovisions.  Details certainly made a difference in this project;
adding crown molding, careful attention to baseboards and trims had a big hand in creating a finished look.

The painted wood vanity in color, sage reflects the trend toward using furniture-like pieces for cabinets.
The smart configuration of drawers and door, allows for plenty of storage, a true luxury for a powder room.  The quartz
countertop was a stunning choice with veining of sage, black and white creating a Wow response when you enter the room.

The dark stained wood trims and wainscoting were painted a bright white finish and allowed the selected green/beige
hue to pop. Decorative black framed family pictures produced a dramatic statement and were appealing to all guests.

The attractive glass mirror is outfitted with sconce light fixtures on either side, ensuring minimal shadows.

The homeowners are thrilled with their new look and proud to boast what was
once a simple bathroom into a showcase of their personal style and taste.

“We are very happy with our new bathroom. We received many compliments on it from
guests that have come to visit recently. Thanks for all of your hard work on this project!” 
– Doug & Lisa M. (Hanover) 

Trends in Baths 2016

Larger showers are trending along with personalizing bath spaces, utilizing a variety of products and features.

            Baths with a spa-like feel incorporates ‘cozy spaces’ with warming floors with programmable thermostats, towel warmers, rain- shower heads, hand-held shower heads, free-standing tubs, shelving and niche cubbies for shampoos and shower seats create a more relaxing atmosphere.

            Barrier-free or curb-less showers with lineal style drains are gaining in popularity. They visually enhance the space as the floor slops in one direction and larger format tiles can be continued from the bath floor right into the shower. Grab bars in decorative styles, fold-down shower seats, humidity-sensing ventilation/light models are ideal for the aging in place sector.

            Baths have become more contemporary in style with the focus on simple lines, white fixtures, unique storage spaces and emphasis on larger format tiles growing in popularity. 12” x 24” retro-lineal look is defiantly trending as well as 12” x 35” larger plank-style porcelain tiles seen in several textures including a scraped look. Subway tiles in all sizes look great alone or blended with mosaics and glass decorative pieces to create a one-of-a-kind look. Chrome and nickel finishes continue to dominate.

            The impact of technology on the shower/bath is ever-changing with integrated sound, lights and temperature flows can enhance the multi-sensory experience.

            Toilet flushing is getting more automated, medicine cabinets more functional with internal outlets and lighting, storage and more unique with docking drawer outlets to store/conceal plug-in bath accessories.

            Comfort, personal health and wellness are top of the mind. Creating a bath with an open feel and clean lines contributes to the sense of serenity we strive for.

2016 Cost vs Value Report

PLANNING A REMODEL?

Interested in learning which home upgrades score big with buyers?

Find out the results from the 2016 survey that tells us about today’s housing market.

For the latest information on the value of remodeling, check out the
2016 Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report.

Boston Average:

Midrange Bath: $22,729
Upscale Bath: $66,735

Midrange Kitchen: $71,906
Upscale Kitchen: $133,618

New England Average:

Midrange Bath: $19,159
Upscale Bath: $59,606

Midrange Kitchen: $62,989
Upscale Kitchen: $123,381

2015 National Average:

Midrange Bath: $17,908
Upscale Bath: $57,411

Midrange Kitchen: $59,999
Upscale Kitchen: $119,909

5 Remodels That Make Good Resale Value Sense

1.Kitchens. Updating a tired old kitchen is one of the wisest methods, and a tried and true one, of increasing the value of your home. When planning a kitchen remodel, and making design decisions and selections for plumbing fixtures, appliances, cabinets and countertop materials, you should determine whether you are prioritizing your own design aesthetic or the return on your investment.

Either priority is perfectly acceptable, but you should understand which is your priority, or strike a balance between the two that you can feel good about. 

For example, using the existing kitchen layout and affordable cosmetic materials is a sure way to keep the cost of your kitchen remodel manageable. When you start tearing out walls, bumping out the exterior home footprint to gain a few feet, and moving plumbing fixtures and appliances, the cost of the remodel will jump and your dollars will be less efficiently spent.

2. Adding living space. A straightforward addition of a new living room space is typically a very good investment.

Newly added square footage equals increases your home’s value. There are certain costs that will be associated with your addition regardless of the size. New square footage will require the demolition of existing exterior walls, a new foundation, a new roof, new exterior siding and probably new windows. If you are going to incur these expenses, it’s important to get some bang for your buck. It’s important that the added room is sized so that the space can be efficiently produced.

3. Curb appeal. You have heard not to judge a book by its cover, but smart money recognizes the cover’s value. Your front elevation is more than just a first impression. It’s the only impression available to just about all of your home’s potential buyers.

The good news is that there are a number of very affordable projects that can improve curb appeal, and some more extensive improvements that can likely pay off as well. Simply cleaning out overgrown brush and making a few new planting additions to your landscape can go a long way toward improving curb appeal at a very low cost.

Repainting is another low-cost, high-impact improvement. Costlier changes such as changing out old windows or an aged entry door are things that potential buyers will notice and value. Even more extensive front-elevation remodels, such as added dormers and front porches, can prove wise from an investment standpoint.

4. Master suites. Sorry, kids. Home buying decisions are in the hands of adults, and adults care about the environment where they sleep. Updating a master bedroom or remodeling and adding a new master suite is money well spent. The buyers will picture themselves living in their private space, and it’s of quantitative value when they like what they see.

5. Bathrooms. Home buyers notice bathrooms, and although all the bathrooms are important, a priority should be placed on the powder room and master bath, followed by a guest bathroom and any other secondary baths (the kids don’t need to know).

The same rules apply to a bathroom remodel as to the kitchen. Cosmetic changes are safer from an investment standpoint than modifications involving changed layouts or minor additions, which can result in inefficient expenses.

Clean and Contemporary

One of the hottest trends in bath design is open, clean-line spaces. This serene look is accomplished by reducing distractions caused by too many ornate details. This client approached Renovisions to remodel her outdated master bath and create a clean and uncluttered space with a contemporary flair. The bathtub and tile floor remains in the new design adding a small challenge to coordinate the right color selection for shower and tub surround tile. The existing bath’s fiberglass shower was cramped, under utilized and under styled, so Renovisions first enlarged the depth of the shower with a complete water proof system, hand-held shower and soap dish, corner shelf and safety grab bar.

A teak veneer vanity was designed to compliment the client’s master bedroom teak furniture. A beautiful combination of sleek grey quartz countertop, rectangular under-mount sink, modern plumbing fixtures, stylish hardware and a simple yet elegant tilt mirror completed the contemporary look.

This renewed master bath combines functionality and aesthetics in perfect harmony.

Click here to view more photos.

Marvelously Mosaic

Builder-grade, tired and outdated fixtures paired with peeling wallpaper and missing tiles served as the impetus behind this homeowners desire to remodel. Careful thought and consideration went into the selection of each bath product as the client wanted a clean design with a contemporary flair. The homeowners enlisted Renovisions to take on the task and transform their bathroom into the beautiful, zen-like bathing space they envisioned. Each step of the remodeling process was completed carefully to ensure a proper facelift.

Beautiful, natural pebble tiles accented by a border of 12”x12” tan colored marble tiles set the overall feel of this new space. The vanity, a medium stained cherry wood contemporary styled wall-hung cabinet, and the ice stone countertop compliment the gorgeous blue-green hues of the mosaic wall tile. The chrome finished wall-hung faucet has the perfect design choice for the narrow yet sleek vanity.

The tub/shower side walls boast stylish 6”x12” marble tiles installed in a horizontal pattern while the blue/green mosaic tiles on the back wall create a dramatic focal point in the otherwise neutral color palate. Desired amenities such as a deeper soaking tub, a custom tiled shampoo cubby, a hand-held shower head and slide bar and a decorative safety grab bar provided both the functionality and style the homeowners sought after.

Upon completion, this full bath exudes a sophisticated and heavenly atmosphere to provide a truly “do-it-yourself” spa experience.

Click here for full album.