Creating A Fabulous New Bathroom In North Falmouth!

May 2012 Finds the team from @designREMODEL working on a new bathroom project in North Falmouth. We just completed a kitchen remodel in West Falmouth and we just updated a deck for a long time client also in North Falmouth.

Located across the street from North Falmouth Elementary school, the owners of this Cape house enjoy a transformative first floor bathroom makeover that we completed back in 2009. In the interim we completed other projects as well.  In fact, one day this pass winter, I was driving by the house and noticed that the homeowners had some new landscaping done. I sent an email to them complementing them on the work and I got an immediate response:  "John, I was just thinking that I needed to contact you this week about getting our second floor bathroom remodeled and there you are in my email box!"

As my clients were very happy with the quality and durability of the fixtures, fittings and finishes in the first bathroom we had remodeled. Because of this, it was a fairly short, yet complete decision process on how the 2nd bathroom was going to be transformed.

Day 1. We completely gutted the entire bathroom down to the wall studs.

Day 2. Taking out the cast iron tub was no easy task. Fortunately it was a straight shot down the stairs and into the demo trailer! We had taken up the top layer of flooring and this allowed us to re-secure the sub floor with screws. We then put down a new lay of 3/4" plywood with lots more screws.  We had a number of squeaks, but Bob really made sure he eliminated them! A new wet wall at the end of the tub was built. At this time, we also removed the old window and shifted the framing over about 2' as it was too close to the new tub location.  Quirky side note. In opening up the wall, we found that old window framing that had been closed up in the past and thus this was most likely the 3rd time, the window had been relocated in the history of the house!

Day 3. Completed the install of a new Andersen window, then installed new exterior sidewall. Moving inside, we continued to set up for the plumber.

Day 4. The plumbers arrive and quickly set about their work. First, they demolished the old heat and rerouted the heat line under the floor. (This bathroom will have new in-floor radiant heat.) Then they removed and relocated the vent, waste and water lines as the tub and vanity, have switched locations.  At the end of the day, we set the new tub into a supporting bed of structural mortar.

Day 5. Around the new tub, we installed blocking for balance bars and padded the walls as needed to allow the cement board to slide down past the tile flange on the tub. Adjustments were made in some of the framing else where in the bathroom and we also installed hurricane clips on the exposed rafters. We also installed a new fan/light fixture over the tub and then went up on the roof to remove shingles and install the fan exhaust port. While up on the roof, we also fixed a leaking, improperly installed pipe flange at the same time.

Day 6. The electrician arrives and removes all of the old wiring in preparation for a completely new rough including new home runs back to the service panel.  We had made his job easier by leaving out a section of the flooring and exposing the top of the wall on the wall below. This allowed him to fish new wires or home runs back to the service panel in the basement much faster and easier. This rough-in takes well over 8 hours to complete.

Day 7-8. Plumbing and electrical inspections conducted by the town of Falmouth are completed and passed.

Day 9. We install the newly upgraded insulation as mandated by code in the exterior wall and ceiling.Eladio Gore, Falmouth's Building Commissioner, stops by to sign off on the framing and insulation inspections. After his visit, cement board is installed around the tub and the final prep before the wall board is installed is completed.

Day 10. New plaster board is installed on the walls and ceiling.

Day 11. Plaster is skim coated onto all walls and ceilings and allowed to set.

Day 12. Next up is the installation of the in-floor radiant heat. We use a product from Warmly Yours, which makes a heat element woven into  mesh. Installation requires you to take your time to plan and then properly install while avoiding damage to the product.

Day 13. Our tile setter John, trowels a layer of thinset over the newly installed heat mat and will allow it set up before returning the next day.

Day 14. Over the thinset and in-floor heat, John now installs a product called Ditra. This is an isolation membrane that is secured with thinset. Ditra provides significant support for the tile while allowing movement by the substrate, thus avoiding grout popping or tile cracking.

Day 15. After setting the tile, John returns one more time to float grout into the joints of his tile install. When mixing the grout, he adds a product called Grout Boost which improves the stain resistance of the grout making it easy to keep the grout clean.

Days 16-20. We are in the home stretch! We start the week by installing a new cherry vanity and linen storage. We also install wall cabinets over the toilet. Then we trim out the window, door and install new baseboard scribed to the tile floor. On the vanity, we install a nice one piece Swanstone counter that has a integrated sink and backsplash.

Around the tub, we install the Swanstone surround on the walls and ceiling. Into the surround, we also install a large storage alcove and balance bars for safety.

Our painter Kemp, from Panda Painting works his magic by prepping, priming and painting the walls and ceiling. He then also stains all of the woodwork and after filling all of the nail holes, applies multiple layers of polyurethane to complete his work.

Meanwhile the plumber Al, has returned to set the toilet, connect all of the waste and water lines, install the vanity faucet and drain, then complete the tub/shower trim.

Right behind Al comes Richard, AKA Sparky, who wraps up the floor heat install by connecting and installing the digital control pad. He then completes the trim out of the recessed lights and installs the sconces over the sink.

Finally, (Are you going whew! yet?)  We drill and install the knobs at the vanity, change out the hinges and door knob to the bathroom with all new shiny chrome hardware. (Cape Cod salt air is tough on hardware) Install a new wood threshold at the bathroom entrance.

We also install the Ark Shower panel at the tub. Then our final touch is to do a complete clean up working our way out of the house.

Then we turn the bathroom back over to our clients Lary & Sue Ball who comment, "You've absolutely delighted us once again!" 

The following week, we are visited by the town's inspectors who pass the work of our talented trades.

Below are some iPhone pictures of the final result.

10+ Insider Tips For A Better Bathroom Remodel

10+ Tips To Make Your Bathroom Even Better.

1. Make sure there is adequate support under your new floor tile.  Typically 1.5" is sufficient.

2. Have blocking installed in tub or shower walls for later installation of balance bars.

3. Install a simple timer on your exhaust fan and run it for 20 minutes after showering.

4. If you have stained wood in your bathroom, finish it with a polyurethane to block mildew growth.

5. Do not use a flat paint in a bathroom. Use a washable paint.  Most paint brands have bath or kitchen specific paint.

6. Consider a second mirrored recessed medicine cabinet in addition to the one over the sink.  This can be installed on another wall else where in the bathroom. You can specify an extra deep model for more room and can even order them with built-in electrical supply.

7. Roll out metal baskets in a vanity may provide more storage for less money then drawers.

8. Curved shower rods with a hook-less liner provides more elbow room and you can quickly remover the liner for washing when needed.

9. Hinged spray panels keep water in while providing ease of access to the tub.

10. If your toilet sweats, specify an insulated tank on your new toilet.

+.  Invest your money to remodel your bathroom once. With the right materials and built for longevity, you will enjoy your new bathroom worry free for many years!

4+ Reasons Our New Cabinet Line Is Perfect For Your Upcoming Cape Cod Kitchen Remodel

1. Bead Board Wainscot:This is a timeless look that when done right lends an air of elegance to a bathing space. Notice the emphasize on done right? I've seen far too many bathrooms with cheap bead board paneling from the big box stores slapped up on the walls and finished with a flimsy molding. To be blunt, it's cheap to install...and looks it. We use a product made by Nantucket Beadboard for our wainscot. (At some point in the future, I will put up a post about installing and finishing beadboard.)

2. No Middleman. No Overpriced Showrooms. Leveraging the power of the Internet to bring you quality cabinets for your kitchen, bath and laundry room.  We buy direct from the manufacturer and handle every aspect from design to installation to final clean up.

3. Fast Turnaround Time.  We can be installing your kitchen in as little as 2 weeks from the time your order is placed. Many other cabinet lines are running 8 weeks or more.

4. Touch and Feel in the comfort or your own home. We'll bring door and finish samples for you to review. This will help avoid the feeling of been overwhelmed in showrooms filled with far too many options and choices.

+. Relax! We handle the details from beginning to end. No salesman handing your project off here. We'll work with you every step of the way to create the Cape Cod kitchen of your dreams: Installed right, as quoted and on time!

     

Top 5+ Bathroom Remodeling Requests On Cape Cod

We remodel a lot of bathrooms here on Cape Cod and that provides us some insight in to what homeowners want when they remodel. Below are the top 5+ requests from Cape Cod homeowners who are looking to improve their bathrooms.

1. Bead Board Wainscot: This is a timeless look that when done right lends an air of elegance to a bathing space. Notice the emphasize on done right? I've seen far too many bathrooms with cheap bead board paneling from the big box stores slapped up on the walls and finished with a flimsy molding. To be blunt, it's cheap to install...and looks it. We use a product made by Nantucket Beadboard for our wainscot. (At some point in the future, I will put up a post about installing and finishing beadboard.)

2. Pocket Doors: I personally love pocket doors. In my dream home paid for by the shares I own in Facebook*, I would make just about every door into a room a pocket door topped by a transom window. (To do this requires 10' ceilings.) I really like how you can slide a door out of sight, as it makes a room seem larger and more open especially in a bathroom that is tight for space. Some people don't like pocket doors as they have had problems with them and I cannot blame them, as I have seen some atrocious installs over the years. And yet, pocket doors can be be trouble free if done right. The secret is patience and taking the time to plumb and level the door at installation and using ALL of the hardware supplied by the frame manufacturer.

Cost: Professionally installed beadboard, capped with trim and baseboard  will add $1200-$1500 to a typical bathroom remodel. (Finish painting is not included in the above figure.) 

* I don't own any shares in Facebook. Although I wish I did!

3. Tall Everything: The days of stooping over and brushing your teeth at a 24" high sink are over. Just about every vanity we have installed in the last few years, finishes between 34" and 36" in height. Much more comfortable for many users. Toilets are also available in what is now known as comfort height. (AKA. chair height.) We also install shower controls and shower heads at a tall height for ease of use. One thing I usually do at the planning stage is to ask my clients to share with me, what heights would be comfortable for them. This small request can make a big difference when they start using their newly remodeled bathroom.

Cost: Upgrading to tall everything usually costs 15% or more over standard height items.

4. Tubs into Showers: Many of our projects involve converting a tub into a showering space. This is an increasing trend as many homeowners are electing to stay put and make their house on Cape Cod, a "Forever home." In doing so, many homeowners are looking at how to create one level living by having all of the main rooms on the same level. (Usually the first floor.) Often times, we replace the 5' foot tub with a step in shower of the same length and width thus creating an easily accessible, safer and spacious showering space.

Note. Converting a tub to a shower on the 2nd floor is rare because the Massachusetts building code requires upgrading the existing 1-1/2" drain line to 2" drain line for a new shower install. This often requires opening up a significant portion of the floor to locate and tie into the main drain. Thus can be pricey.

Cost:Professionally installed tub to shower replacement including new controls, shower head, etc. and repairing the walls around the unit, usually start at about $3100. (First floor only.)

5. Tile and Glass: Along with converting the tub to a shower, we're seeing more tile shower surrounds and clear frameless glass doors. The tile will often have a decorative element and many projects will have the tile all the way up to the ceiling as well as on the ceiling. One suggestion we make, is to have a solid surface or cast iron base rather then tile for a cleaner look and to provide for easier cleaning. The glass doors which can be bypass or swinging doors allow you to see the tile work and adds a rich elegance to the bathroom. We often specify the 3/8" or 1/2" thick glass, especially for the bypass doors as the thinner glass rattles when you slide it from side to side.

Cost:Professionally installed shower surrounds with tile and glass. Usually the most expensive part of any bathroom remodel. $8,000 and up.

+. Laundry Center: We have had quite a few bathroom remodels that involve taking a space within the bathroom or from an adjacent room or closet and converting it to a Laundry Center. Because of space constraints. Most of them require the use of a stacked washer/dryer instead of a conventional side by side washer/dryer. Creating this space, added significantly to the cost of the bathroom remodel and yet, every client we have done it for, has said it was well worth it! Cost:Hard to pin down as many factors involved. $1800 for a basic relocation to $4500+ for a complex install. Does not include stacked unit which can run $1200 to $4500.

There you have it, the top five+ requests for features in a bathroom remodel from your fellow Cape Cod homeowners. It's my experience that any bathroom that has any or all of the features above makes the overall project far more worthwhile!

If you have any questions about the projects noted above, send me an email to JSC@AtDesignREMODEL.com

Remodeling Costs On Cape Cod

We frequently get inquiries about the cost of remodeling projects here on Cape Cod. Given that every house, project and homeowner is different, it can be challenging to provide a specific number without going through the process of looking at every aspect of a project which is time consuming. Design, selecting products and fixtures, calling suppliers and trade partners. Which can on average take about 8-12 hours on a small bath remodel!

Enter Remodeling Magazine , which is one of the best trade magazines for Remodelers and for the last 23 years, has undertaken the research, leg work and math on an annual basis on the costs of a wide range of projects. Below are some examples of projects that we extracted from their data. These are similar to projects that @design REMODEL has completed for clients across Cape Cod.

1. Basement Remodel  $66,675 2. Bathroom Addition  $40,753 3.Bathroom Remodel  $17,460 4.Minor Kitchen Remodel  $19,885 5.Major Kitchen Remodel  $58,982

For the most part, we have found that the project costs compiled by Remodeling Magazine are consistent with what we and others in the market are charging. While there is variation from project to project, the averages are right in line with reality.

In many ways, the costs of remodeling have followed a similar trajectory of the cost of purchasing a new car or truck. Costs have escalated as manufacturers add new features, use new materials and add higher labor costs, research and development and regulatory compliance, it all adds up!

It's not all unusual for a new fully loaded SUV to cost upwards of $60K much like the Major Kitchen remodel listed above at about $59K. Yet, after 5 years, most vehicles are heavily depreciated and you are ready for a new one. The kitchen on the other hand, is only one quarter into it's life expectancy of 20 years!

Note: The costs above are averages for New England and are for projects considered "midrange" in scope and cost.

“© 2011 Hanley Wood, LLC. Complete data from the Remodeling 2011–12 Cost vs. Value Report can be downloaded free at www.costvsvalue.com”

Cape Cod Kitchen Design & Usability Idea: Lighting

Lighting The Way Many of the Cape Cod kitchens we remodel, usually need lighting upgrades as the existing lighting is insufficient. I've seen kitchens lit by a single fixture located in the center of the ceiling and complimented by a small light over the stove. Lots of shadows in those kitchens! Even worse, are kitchens lit up by industrial florescents that flood the space with blindness inducing bright, sterile, white light.

The right lighting in a kitchen can make it safer to work in, easier to see (especially as we get older) and can create a warm, welcoming feel for everyday use or while entertaining family and friends. With forethought and good planning, this is easily accomplished in any size kitchen.

Let's review the types of lighting typically used in most kitchens.

Types of Lighting Overall This type of lighting is the most common, it can be a simple centralized fixture mounted on the ceiling or multiple fixtures either recessed or surfaced mounted and placed at different locations around the kitchen. Properly selected and placed, these fixtures can provide for most of your lighting needs.

Task When you really need to shine light on your workspace, task lighting is the way to go. In a kitchen, this will usually mean lights mounted on the underside of the upper cabinets. Having lights properly mounted as such, will flood the counters and workspace with lots of light. For task lighting, I would recommend that LED lighting be installed as it provide multiple benefits in reduced energy use, less heat shred then other types of fixtures and LED'S provide bright and dimmable lighting. It's interesting to note that the Starbucks coffee chain recently retrofitted their stores with LED lighting which significantly reduced their energy usage and costs.

Also, task lighting can be a overall lighting fixture placed in a specific location. An example of this, is installing a light over the sink area with a high wattage bulb that floods the sink with light.

Mood

If your kitchen is large enough to function as a entertainment space, then the right mood lighting can create a warm inviting feel that may make it difficult for guests to leave. It's possible that the right lighting, will make food look and taste better. Although some dishes will be beyond rescue! We often create mood lighting in a kitchen by simply replacing standard switches with dimmer type switch's which will allow you to control the intensity of the light.

Types of Fixtures

Ceiling Recessed is the most popular type of fixture used for overall lighting. They come in multiple sizes and style of trims. (Trims are the decorative surround that the bulb sits inside.) You can also install low voltage lights especially if you want a small, low profile light fixture. Usually you can use a flood type bulb or a focused beam bulb in these fixtures depending upon where and what you want to illuminate.

Be sure to install IC type recessed fixtures (As shown right) anywhere that they will come into contact with insulation. This allows for the insulation to be installed up to and over the fixture. Do not use non-IC fixtures below a non-heated space such as an attic. Doing so, essentially creates holes in your ceiling for heat to escape and will increase your homes energy usage and costs.

Surface Mounted. We have had kitchen renovations here on Cape Cod where we have specified the use of surface mounted fixtures. In some cases, the period style and age of the home made it an appropriate choice and other times, high ceilings allowed for hanging fixtures. Surface mounted fixtures can create style and bring color into your kitchen as shown in the picture to the left. If a kitchen has an island, we usual install pendant lights over it and then install recessed lights in other areas of the kitchen.

Wall Sconces. Although rarely used in a kitchen, if you have the wall space and it's in an ideal location, a wall sconce can add style and set a mood. With a dimmer, it can also function as a nightlight for those late night raids on the fridge!

Under Cabinet lighting works great in really lighting up workspaces and we often use dimmable LED lighting under our cabinets. One tip: Make sure the fixtures are mounted in the front of the cabinet not the back. Installing the fixture forward, brings more light out over the countertop and makes the fixture it's self less visible.

In Cabinet Lighting can also create a fabulous backdrop while showing off your Waterford Crystal collection. Typically we use dimmable "puck" style fixtures mounted on the ceiling of the cabinet. Another tip: Replace the wood shelves in the cabinet with glass shelves to really allow the light to shine through!

Here are some links to some of our favorite light fixtures.

Rejuvanation.Great period fixtures and fabulous quality!

Hubbington Forge.Very elegant old world fixtures.

Restoration Hardware.Love the mix of old and new.

Hopefully, I've lit the way forward in helping you select the right lighting for your new kitchen! Feel free to comment or ask questions.

West Falmouth Kitchen Remodel: Start to Finish

This month finds us remodeling a kitchen in West Falmouth. This kitchen remodel will replace a typical eighties builder grade kitchen which primarily consisted of laminate cabinets and counter tops. The redesign of the kitchen improves the look, layout and provides for more storage. The Homeowners selected a frameless cabinet in a natural maple finish manufactured by Dewils.. The countertop will be granite and the apron front deep stainless steel sink will be a focal point in this kitchen.

Follow along as we document the progress, the challenges and the final outcome in this soon to be fabulous makeover!

Demolition of the old kitchen was tacked by the homeowners. They did such a good job, that I asked if they wanted to hire on as my demo crew! When we arrived to start, the space was clean and ready for us to take over. The old cabinets and counter tops were recycled into storage/workspace in the garage.

One of the first things we did, was set up a dust wall with a zipper door as shown in the picture at left. This dust wall will help keep the spread of dust to a minimum.

As shown in the picture above, our first task was to remove a section of the drywall so the Electrician could update the wiring and placement of assorted electrical devices. We also needed to provide a new backer or substrate for the tile back-splash to come. If you look at the picture closely, you will see that the seams will be hidden by the base and upper cabinets. We also removed just over the width of a standard drywall width of 48" This will allow for faster and neater installation of new drywall.

We also removed some of the plywood on the floor as it was damaged and weak in some spots. Unfortunately at this point, we discovered that the sub-floor consisted of 1/2" plywood which is insufficient to support the new tile. A typical-sub floor will have at minimum, 3/4" thick plywood supported at all edges.

It was decided to install an additional layer of 1/2" plywood laid perpendicular to the existing sub floor to provide more support under the large/substantial tile that is going to be installed.

The picture above shows the exterior wall where we are preparing to open up and install an additional window while replacing the window on the left with a new Andersen gliding window. We will need to relocate wiring and carefully measure placement of the new windows, as we plan to install several receptacles and switches between the window bottom and the top of the counter top. Space will be at a premium here!

Meanwhile on the exterior, we have constructed and set up staging over the stairs. In this picture, we have carefully removed the existing shingles for reuse around the new windows. Soon this wall will show two new Andersen gliding windows!

Next up, is framing the window opening and preparing the flashing system for the windows. As you can see in the photos below, we have added an opening for the new window and now we are preparing the openings with flashing on the sill and around the edges.

The windows are now being set in the openings. At this point, we make sure the windows are level and square before securing them permanently in place.

Here is a picture of the exterior with the shingles that were saved during removal, now reinstalled around the new windows.

On the interior, the window framing is complete, the electrician has completed his rough wiring and new insulation has been installed as seen in the photos below. At this point, we have gotten the inspections we need from the town and are now ready for the installation of the sheetrock.

Just before the sheet rock is installed, we cover the insulation on the exterior wall with 4 mills plastic which acts as a vapor barrier. You can also see on the floor, that we have installed new plywood fastened with screws. This additional layer of plywood, will provide strong support for the new tile.

Coming up: Mud-time! The seams on the drywall will be coated with mud-aka Joint compound which will hide the seams. We'll also be slapping mud or thinset down on the floor as we install new tile.

In the above picture, you can see that the team from Spooner Drywall has worked their magic in patching the walls. They also worked magic on the the ceilings which have the dreaded popcorn finish on them. In fact you cannot see any evidence where the ceiling was patched at all!

On the floor, the bright orange covering you see is a product called Ditra which is a provides great support under tile and also isolates the tile and grout from the movement of the wood below. Ditra is used by professional tile installers the world over. Here, the Ditra is has been dry-fitted and is awaiting the tile setting to trowel down a layer of thinset mortar over the plywood. He will then embed the Ditra. The tile setter will trowel more thinset onto the Ditra and set the tiles. Going through this multi step process will ensure a strong floor that resists movement and cracking. Here is a snapshot of the cabinet install in progress.

The space above is for the sink base and you can see how planning ahead avoids many problems later. 1. We left out a section of tile to make it easier to install the water piping. If we did not, the plumber would have to drill through the tile inside a very confined space. 2. We drilled the holes for the water piping ahead of time. 3. These cabinets require a site built base and in building the base for the sink cabinet, we created a chase for the piping for the dishwasher to be threaded through in the right hand corner.

As shown above, the sink base is now installed and you can see that multiple holes have been made to accommodate the plumbing, electrical and the new sink.

The picture above shows the stainless steel sink now installed. Coming up. Bumps in the RoaAs you can see in the

As you can see in the pictures below, all of the cabinets are installed and the granite has been carefullly put in place and then we hit a couple of bumps in the road.

Turns out the interior finish on this stove was defective. The homeowner decided that they wanted to replace it with another brand which in turn required returning the over the stove microwave. This delayed installing the backsplash tile.

On top of this, the weight of the refrigerator punched a hole in the tile as we were shifting it in to place. If you look at the photo below, you can see a round hole punched through the travertine tile which is somewhat a delicate tile. The kicker was, that the damaged tile was partly under the refrigerator side wood panel which would have to be removed so that the tile could be replaced. This in turn held up the completion of the upper cabinet moldings...

Fortunately, replacing the tile was a relatively simple if a bit messy task that was done quickly and efficiently by the tile installer.

At the start of the tile install for the backsplash, it was found that the varying thickness of the different tiles did not work well together. The homeowner decided to go with a different look as you can see in the pictures below.

All Wrapped Up and Done!

Cape Cod Kitchen Design & Usability Idea: Storage

This is the first in a occasional series of tips about designing and making more user-friendly your new kitchen. Storage for pots and pans.

It makes me crazy to see kitchens with nothing but marching rows upon rows of doors. Why? because it usually means that the cook is wasting time and steps every time they want to retrieve cookware from the cabinets below.

In many kitchens, the cook will stoop down, open a cabinet door, reach in and roll out the tray within to select a piece of cookware. Then they have to roll the tray shut and close the door. Not a big deal, yet multiply that many times over the course of cooking meals and it gets a bit annoying doing the multi-step.

My solution in many of the kitchens I've designed and built, is to specify a base cabinet or two as all drawers. Usually they are at 32"- 36" wide and have one shallow top drawer and two tall drawers below as shown in the picture to the left. This set-up allows for stacked storage of pots and pans and in one motion allows you to open, view and retrieve your cookware. Plus, having an entire base cabinet all drawers will break up the rows of marching doors.

Be sure to specify heavy duty full extension hardware on these drawers as the pots and pans can add up in weight.

I also like doing this as it allows for a really wide top drawer to store cutlery and cooking tools all in one place and still keep them neat and organized.

There are a number of storage options for cookware such as pot racks and corner cabinets but just having nice big drawers appeals to my practical nature. Out of sight, out of mind, yet easy to see and use!

Wow! Something New In The Kitchen!

Recently, I came across something called The Galley and I was immediately intrigued. While the concept of Work Zones is not new, The Galley takes it to a new level in creating a better functioning and more efficent kitchen. If you love to cook and spend lots of time working in a kitchen, watch out! because you are going to fall in love with and will want to have The Galley in your kitchen. Last warning...watching the video will cause you to want to immediately remodel your kitchen...

Sitting In The Shower

Sometimes after a long day of chasing the clock, it's heaven sent to be able to escape to a long hot shower while having some ME time. Yet in most showers, it's standing room only. Have you ever wished you could take a seat while showering? Just to be able to sit back and let the hot water stream over you? Unfortunately the size and design of some shower stalls will not allow for any kind of seat. If your shower is at least 34 x 34 in size, you maybe in luck. Before purchasing any kind of seat, be sure to measure your space to see if it will fit while someone is using the shower.

We've installed a number of fold up seats like the ones shown to the upper right. There are some advantages from using a fold up seat over a fixed or built-in seat. Fold up seats take up less room, are less expensive to install vs. constructing a fixed or built in seat. Plus the wood seat is warmer to sit on then tile or stone.

One thing to keep in mind is that good structural support or blocking needs to be in place behind the shower prior to installing any kind of folding seat. It may be possible to install the blocking behind the shower from an adjacent room. Consult your local remodeling professional to see if this is feasible.

I recently discovered in one of my professional trade magazines, the Serena Seat which is pictured to the right. It's clean look and ease of use had an immediate appeal. It's easy to install on a properly prepared shower wall and has a back rest to lean against. When folded up it only has a 3-inch profile. It also has a precision tension hinge which prevents the seat from accidentally falling down. The wood is brazilian walnut which is up to 3 times stronger then teak.

Fixing a Remuddle: A Bathroom Remodel In Sandwich MA

We just wrapped up a bathroom remodel in Sandwich. This was interesting as we were undoing the previous remuddle which the homeowners absolutely disliked. This tiny bathroom had a massive 6' whirlpool tub that drained the hot water heater when it was only half full. The size of the tub also led to knocking knees every time someone used the toilet! Danger! Floor Collapse Ahead...! Interestingly enough, when we demolished the bathroom interior, we found baby blue chips from the cast iron tub that had previously been occupied by the whirlpool tub. This tub also took up precious closet space. During the demo work, we found floor joists that had been mindlessly hacked apart thus weakening the floor structure. The substrate behind the previous tub/shower surround was awful as it was simply a mix of sheetrock and cement board with no water-proofing at all!

New Archer Tub From Kohler We installed a new Kohler Archer tub in the original location and rebuilt the closet. This closet rebuild provided the homeowners with much needed storage space. Around the tub and on the ceiling, we installed Durarock cement board followed by a roll on waterproofing membrane. Making for a water tight tub/shower space.

The homeowners selected 8x8 gloss white tiles complimented by a narrow row of glass tile. This tile was placed around the tub as well as on the ceiling. On the floor, we installed a Ditra isolation membrane followed by a 12 x12 floor tile. This was finished by a curved shower rod. This shower rod created more room in the tub/shower when needed.

Snakes N' Sparks! The electrical work was a bit of a snakes nest as the electrician had to eliminate the illegally buried junction boxes and untangle the mess left behind. The switches for the bathroom were moved back into the bathroom where they belonged. Time was also taken, to relocate the plug at the sink at a taller height so that it was no longer practically sitting on the countertop. We also installed a Panasonic fan/light combo that is whisper quite. This replaced the F15 engine that was mounted in the ceiling.

Fast N' Furious This remodeled remuddle was completed in less then 15 working days and provided the happy homeowners in Sandwich, with a new bathroom that was roomier and far more functional.

Happy Homeowner The homeowner posted the following review on Angie's List..

We are very happy we chose the right person to remodel our bathroom. John impressed us in many ways. He was very thorough. He kept the worksite and our house clean. He was always upbeat. The fact he likes his work shined through. We also liked the fact that he did much of the work himself. The workers he did bring in shared his work ethic; they were all excellent. Many contractors do an "OK" job, John and his team did an excellent job.

Kohler Flipside Shower

We just installed a Kohler Flipside shower head and it's a pretty neat product as shown on the following fun video!

Website Update and Project iPlanner in the Works

Apologies! Our website is a bit of a mess right now as we update it to improve it's relevancy and remove more of the clutter. We trying to follow the mantra of: less is more. We are also in the process of creating a remodeling iPlanner for anyone looking to remodel their bath or kitchen. It will allow you to really think about what you want your new bathroom or kitchen to look like. You will be able to organize your wants and needs for your project. We'll even include a handy contractor selection list to help you evaluate each contractor.

If you are interested in getting your own complimentary copy of our bath and kitchen remodeling iPlanner, send an email request to JSC@AtDesignRemodel.com and once it's completed, we will send you your copy.

Bathroom Update- A Clear Idea...

Have you ever stepped out of your tub/shower to find that your bathroom floor is soaking wet because you forgot to pull back tight to the wall, the end of a shower curtain?

Does it bother you when you are trying to clean out the tracks of bypass glass doors or finding that the doors and tracks get in the way when taking a bath or when you have kids in the tub?

Several years ago, I discovered a solution for the above problems while remodeling a small bathroom for my family when we were living in Cataumet. During the remodel, I had installed a deep tub that was doubling as a shower and I had decided that I did not want a shower curtain or liner as they are called elsewhere. And installing bypass doors seemed too confining, even with frameless doors.

This solution I discovered is called a shower screen. Simply put, it is a glass panel about half the width of the tub length that is hinged to the same wall as the water controls. This is an elegant solution that will keep water in the shower while allowing access to the the tub. It also has the added benefit of making a smaller space seem larger.

One thing to keep in mind is that you will need to allow room for the screen to swing out, which can be a challenge in bathrooms where the toilet is located right next to the tub. It maybe worth relocating the water control/spouts to the opposite end of the tub/shower allowing for better access.

If you would like to find out more about shower screens, visit our online supplier ArkShowers.com

We can also help you determine if this is a good solution for your bathroom.

Photo Credit. ArkShowers.com

Winter Is Coming... How To Get More Bang for Your Remodeling Buck.

Right now as I write this post, it's about 75 degrees outside and the middle of June. Yet, I am already thinking ahead to winter. Yes, we are very busy with projects ongoing from Falmouth to Brewster. And as it is, we are scheduled out till the middle of September. And still, I'm thinking about winter. You see, our slowest period can be from about mid November until about mid March which at 4-5 months which is a significant chunk of time to be slow. This year, we've decided to avoid this slow time by booking work for this time period by no later then October 1st.

In order to make this happen, we want to do something of value and that provides an incentive for folks to schedule work during our slow times. Now our margins are not as such that we can say (in a deep, convincing voice) "Save thousands and thousands on your remodeling project if you buy today..." (if someone tells you that you can save "Big Money" on a remodeling project, run the other way, as they usually raise their prices in order to turn around and give you what you think is a discount.

And that last line brings to mind the thought, How do you really know if your saving money when someone offers you a discount on services such as remodeling? Quotes are usually all over the place for customized services such as remodeling.

So the question is: How can we add value to our services and provide an incentive for potential clients to schedule work during our slow time?

Introducing for the first time anywhere, Our new program called Home Assessment Prioritization Plan or HAPP for short.

HAPP is a comprehensive and professional review of your home and it's existing conditions. This assessment, which takes about 4-6 hours to complete, will look at every aspect of your home from the foundation to the roof and will include such whole house systems such as plumbing, heating and electrical.

Once the assessment is complete, we provide in writing, a detailed report about the home and it's condition, suggested fixes, prioritization and a plan for action. The HAPP can be used as a guide help keep a home in top shape while retaining it's value over time.

Get a Free HAPP and We'll Clean Your Gutters Too!

Purchase and schedule a remodeling project sometime between November 1st, 2011 and March 30th, 2012 and you will qualify for a free HAPP to be completed while your remodeling project is underway. (Project minimum is $9,998.00) And to truly sweeten the deal, we will also clean out your gutters during the month of April 2012 at no additional charge. (Services are valued from $1100.00)

Fresh, Experienced Eyes

You may wonder, why would I be interested and how would I benefit from having a HAPP done on my home?

Simply put: Fresh, experienced eyes. When we live in once place for long time, we tend to become blind to the imperfections or things out of kilter. Fresh and experienced eyes can spot the water damage that can lead to expensive repairs or the see the heating system that has corrosion in the wrong places, or water seeping through a foundation. Knowing what is going on with your home and taking corrective actions can possibly save you thousands of dollars down the road.

Contact us today to schedule your remodeling project for the upcoming winter, have a HAPP completed on your home and a gutter cleaning done next April!

Is Google Trying To Kill Small Business?

Allow me a moment on my soapbox here: My website AtDesignRemodel.com has been very effective at engaging visitors and getting business for my company. More so then any other marketing efforts. I have gotten many compliments about my website from people who have found my very small company by searching online. It's interesting, fun to read, lots of pictures.

It takes a ton of work to create and maintain a relevant and interesting website and in doing so, my website would often show up on the top pages of Google when people were searching for remodeling services in my area.

So we had a kind of a deal Google and I. I would provide a website that has relevant content and be useful for anyone searching for the services I offered. They would find information and tips about remodeling and I would post on my blog REAL content. In turn Google would display my website on the first page of search results for keywords like Bath Remodeling Falmouth or Kitchen Remodeling Mashpee and so forth.

I would also refrain from trying to game Google by not loading my website with keywords and content that would make no sense to anyone but a Google Bot. I would avoid creating false back links to fake websites in an effort to boost my website's "Popularity"

So this deal worked really well until recently, when Google changed the rules again and now my website is now showing up on page 15 of most search results. And page 15 might as well be page 15000 for all the good it will now do my business.

Now on many search results, you see directory listings from yellow page style sites or paid and gamed landing pages that really are paid advertising pitches. Real People with real information are been pushed to the back of the pack by these type of results.

Google can really be Godzilla at times, cluelessly rumbling around downtown killing small business.

Do I think it's intentional? NO. However, I think that the problem is that Google places too much reliance on software to decide who and what shows up in search results.

With that in mind, here is a suggestion for a new service for Google. Google VERIFY. This is a paid service offered by Google that uses a real live person to review and verify the relevance and usefulness of a website by pre-set standards. A Google stamp of approval if you will. Now, this service should not come cheap and any website that gets the stamp of approval will be subject to an audit at anytime with automatic banishment for any website violating the terms of approval.

Any website with a Google VERIFY Stamp of Approval will automatically show up on page one of Google results. I would suggest however that they limit the number of keywords that can be used to avoid any one business dominating.

Now there is immediate benefits in Google offering such a service.

Spam or gamed results are banished. Web Searches become more useful and relevant faster. Revenue is generated and jobs created as Google will need to hire lots of people to review websites.

In the end, customers of small businesses will benefit because they will be able to use a tool like Google VERIFY to connect with providers of the products and services they need quickly and efficiently.

I'm posting this in hopes that someone at Google takes notice and ACTION.

@home On Cape Cod Newsletter. April 2011

Winter Yankee

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No, not the ones from New York, even though I'm sure more then a few Red Sox fans would like to blame them for the weather. You may ask: what's a Yankee Winter? A theory I heard years back, was that deep in the psyche of a New England Yankee, was the expectation that winters needed to be long and punishing, thus building sturdiness and character.

Given a long tough winter, a Yankee would relish the warm spring days and feel that they had beaten the scourge of icy cold days and nights yet again. On the other hand, when a Yankee had an easy winter, they were said to feel guilt and anguish when spring rolled around.

Strangely enough, even though I'm hardly a New England Yankee, in years past, I've experienced both elation and guilt at winter's end. So yes! After spending plenty of days this winter working through the icy blasts coming in off of Buzzards Bay, I'm delighted that the air is warmer and that the sun feels good both on the skin and my soul.

I hope you spend time with family and friends soaking up the sun and the scents of spring after our long Yankee winter here on Cape Cod.

Spring Doings Sampler:

25th Annual Brewster in Bloom , last weekend of April/first weekend of May, dates TBD. Town-wide spring celebration. Arts and crafts show, road race, town parade on Sunday, concerts and much more. Full schedule at Brewster In Bloom

@home Tip for April

Daffodil Days at Spohr Gardens , 45 Fells Road, Falmouth. April 30th and May 7th from 10 am - 2 pm spohrgardens.org

30th Annual Herb Festival, Green Briar Nature Center in Sandwich presents its 30th Annual Herb Festival. Enjoy lectures and demonstrations on the use of various herbs, taken guided garden walks, and pick up special flora during a grand plant sale. Reservations are required for the luncheon. For more information, visit thorntonburgess.org or call 508-888-6870 May 13-15

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Spring is the season to clean the outside of your home. And with our Cape Cod climate conducive for the growth of mold and mildew, many of us will use a combination of water and chlorine bleach to do the job of removing the nasty stuff.

But wait! Chlorine bleach is toxic to all vegetation around your home, and it's no fun inhaling bleach fumes.

A better and Organic choice is Oxygen Bleach. It's safe for your vegetation and actually helps plants as it inserts oxygen into the soil as it seeps in.

Oxygen Bleach will do an excellent job of removing mold and mildew from exterior surfaces. When you're ready to clean (or have cleaned) the exterior of your home, be sure to use Oxygen Bleach. Your plants and your lungs will thank you!

Diary Of A Locavore

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Cranberry Apple Cider Donuts

Hmm..Intriguing! As a fan (too much, my wife say's) of both homemade donuts and apple cider, there is a combination that includes cranberries that I discovered on a local Cape Cod foodie blog: Diary of a Locavore.. Owned by Elspeth Hay of Wellfleet whom is also the author of the Local Food Report on NPR. I came across her website while writing about Rein Ciarfella AKA: The Rye Bread King who was featured in my last newsletter.

If you really would like to dive into the belly of the Cape, Islands and the South Coast, this website has it. From recipes for Ratatouille preserve, fresh salsa and rosemary fried lamb to mention a few. An extensive list and reviews of local farmers markets and resources for food grown and harvested locally. The Diary of a Locavore is a great online resource for leaning about local foods especially those unique to Cape Cod.

Now how about those cranberry apple cider donuts? Click here for more.

Remodeling Repeat...with pictures. Update.

It's been sometime since I lasted posted about the remodeling repeat on Scraggy Neck. Very busy with projects. As it stands, we have completed the framing and exterior trim for the most part. We finally got a break from the winter storms long enough to have the roof shingled over to make the house weather tight once again. The plumbing and electrical rough-in's have been completed. While we wrap the new addition with pre-stained white cedar shingles, the bathroom prep work will be completed. And as soon as we get outside temperatures in the 40's, we can have the entire interior of the new addition insulated with spray on insulation. Spray on insulation is superior to any other type of insulation as you have an excellent heat resistance value's as well as creating an air tight barrier from the cold winds blowing off Buzzards Bay!

Next up will be the installation of special order windows in the stair tower and completing all of the exterior sidewall. During this time the plasterers will hang blue board and then skimcoat the plaster with plaster mud for a smooth and durable finish.

Thumbtack- Finding a Trusted Service Provider

While perusing the web the other day, I came across a very sharp and well styled website called Thumbtack. This site was set up to allow anyone to search for service providers. What I liked beyond the look and feel was the ability to add my own content as well as a link back to my own website. Click on Bath & Kitchen Bath & Kitchen Remodeling to see my listing in action. I think with it's clean look and ease of use, Thumbtack will give some of the other listing services a run for their money!

@home On Cape Cod Newsletter. March 2011

Thanks for taking the time to read this brief newsletter. In the past, I've sent out printed newsletters, however I found that writing, printing, addressing and then mailing a printed newsletter a time and labor intensive project. This ultimately prevented me from keeping in touch with my clients and friends in a timely manner.

Now via email every month, I will send a short note to keep in touch, as well as useful tips and ideas for keeping your home in tip-top shape. I'll also share some of my favorite things about Cape Cod for all the natives, washashore's and mainlanders to enjoy!

All the best!

John

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Here's Katiebeth!

Lot's of folks always want to know what my daughter KatieBeth is up to these days. Over the holiday's, KatieBeth performed in the radio play, It's A Wonderful Life at the Cotuit Center for the Arts. She was smashingly wonderful in all 11 performances! Her mom and my wife Tara, also delighted audiences with her multiple character performances!

KatieBeth is now about halfway through 3rd grade and working hard at trying not to get caught reading during class, as she loves to read! She's looking forward to summer and the beach and hoping another show will come along so she can be the drama kid yet again. Watch this space for more on the Adventures of KatieBeth. :-)

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@home Tip for March: Dryer Venting Safety With the onset of Spring, now is a good time to check your dryer vent for excessive lint buildup. Fires caused by excessive lint cause 15,000 fires a year.

Some Warning Signs 1. Longer drying times, are your clothes taking longer to dry? 2. Clothing is hot, yet damp at the end of a cycle? 3. Is your dryer hot to the touch? 4. Is there excessive lint outside the dryer?

A yearly check-up of your dryer vent will keep your home safe and your drying running optimally. Feel free to call me if you need someone to check that your dryer is venting properly. You can also Google dryer vent cleaning to find a service provider.

Don't Forget the Washing Machine. I always recommend that you throw away the rubber hoses the connect the water supply to your washing machine. They become brittle with age and can burst unexpectedly, leading to costly water damage. My recommendation is to replace the hoses with braided, burst resistant hoses for your peace of mind.

Also, always shut off the main water supply to your home if you are going to be way for an extended period of time.

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Cape Cod Characters On New Year's Day, we were visiting with friends in Falmouth who were hosting a small gathering. Of course, I was drawn straight to the table of various appetizers and finger foods. While we were chatting with our friend and NPR radio personality Dan Tritle, I noticed a fellow weaving in and around the guests offering chunks of bread. Taking a sample of the bread and popping it in my mouth, the texture was perfect and the taste fabulous! This was our introduction to Rein Ciarfella of Cotuit. AKA the Rye Bread King.

In talking to Rein about his handmade rye bread, this soft spoken fellow who has the look and a twinkle in his eyes of Santa Claus, exuded a passion for the making and baking of rye bread. He shared with us his experience of finding just the right recipe during months of trial and error and of waiting 35 years to create his own rye bread after discovering it while living in England. He is an artisan bread baker you'll want to meet.

Read or watch a video about Rein here.

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Compliment Do you have friends or family thinking about remodeling? Help them avoid the hassle and pain of hiring the wrong contractor to work on their home. They will love you for sharing with them your favorite go-to-guy for remodeling!

It's a compliment when you refer someone you know who needs remodeling to my company. Feel free to share this newsletter with them. A Big Thanks! to those that have already referred my company to friends and family.