5 Kitchen Remodeling Ideas That Will Last the Test of Time

April 23, 2018April 21, 2018Leave a comment

p: Houzz

It’s easy to get swept up in the latest design trends, but if you choose something that’s too trendy you may regret your choices a few years down the line when the fad is long gone. Chances are you’re only going to remodel your current kitchen once, so it’s important to get it right!

It’s best to stick with the classics to ensure your remodel is timeless and will retain it’s marketability and value. Here are our top 5 picks:

White never goes out of style. White is fresh, clean, and bright, a no-brainer for the kitchen. Because it is a standard color for manufacturers, you’ll find white cabinets, tile, counters, faucets, sinks, and appliances at any price point, making it an ideal choice for any budget. You don’t have to go all white in the kitchen – add your personal touch with wall color, colorful small appliances, or display colorful dinnerware.

p: Houzz

Install hardwood flooring. Buyers love hardwood floors – it’s one of the most requested wish-list features when searching for a house. Hardwoods add warmth to a space and make it feel more inviting, and as the ‘heart of the home’, you want your kitchen to feel welcoming. With such a large variety of woods and stains available, hardwood flooring will pair well with any kitchen style.

Choose Shaker-style cabinets. Shaker cabinets look good in any setting thanks to their clean, simple lines – something that will never go out of style.

p: Kindesign

Carrara marble countertops are timeless. Carrara marble has been used in homes for thousands of years – it’s white color and lacy graining look great in a white kitchen. It’s readily available, making it less expensive than other high-end choices, such as quartz.

Subway tiles are classic. Choose a white or neutral subway tile for the backsplash to blend with any look. Ceramic subway tiles will guard against moisture, are a snap to clean, last forever, and always looks classy.

4 DIY Projects Under $500

February 12, 2018February 11, 2018Leave a comment

It seems there is always something that could use a little sprucing up, and with HGTV, DIY Network, and Pinterest, it’s hard not to catch the renovation bug. Luckily, there are some budget-friendly projects that you can handle yourself on a weekend! Here are our top 4 DIY projects under $500:

Hit the refresh button on your entry. If your front entry is looking a little tired and offers no curb appeal, it’s time to freshen things up. A welcoming entrance will improve the whole house and it’s easy to create. Add a fresh coat of paint and new hardware to your front door – switch out old brass hardware for oil-rubbed bronze. Choose some sleek house numbers to add to the door or next to the door. A few brightly colored plants and a new welcome mat will add some life to the entry.

Update lighting. Changing out dated light fixtures is a quick project that will make a huge impact. Consider swapping any brass fixtures with brushed nickel or oil-rubbed bronze. Select fixtures that complement each other and your home’s overall style.

Replace kitchen hardware. It’s amazing the difference upgrading your kitchen cabinet and drawer pulls will make! Hardware comes in a huge array of styles and price points. Look at the finishes that already exist in your home – if you have stainless appliances, brushed nickel hardware will match well. If you’ve gone the route of black stainless appliances or have oil-rubbed bronze light fixtures, flat black hardware will blend nicely.

Upgrade the bathroom. Since it’s typically one of the smaller rooms in your home, the bath is a great area to upgrade, and a little will go a long way. You can choose some more expensive finishes in this space because it is so small. If you’ve had your eye on some marble tile, splurge on the small bathroom floor. Replacing the vanity will completely change the look of the room – you can find simple, single sink vanities for under $500, but will likely have to spend more for double vanities. Upgrade your shower head for a touch of luxury that will make you want to get out of bed.

These improvements will make your home more stylish and will help you to enjoy your home more every day. If you’re thinking of selling, these projects will add value by making your home ‘show ready’ to garner that all important positive first impression.

6 Best Bathroom Remodeling Trends for 2017

March 8, 20173 Comments

P: Agnizer.com

Dreaming of that spa-like bathroom, but not sure if you should drop the money into a remodel? Springing for a new bath is typically a sound investment, often returning more than 100 percent of the cost. So go ahead and design the bathroom of your dreams! To help get the ideas flowing, here are our 6 best bathroom remodeling trends for 2017:

Increase the Size – Most bathroom renovations focus on increasing the room size to give the space an open and light feel. Adding square footage to the bathroom frees up area to install a separate soaking tub and shower, maybe a master closet space, and room to add much desired storage.

Heated Floors – Add a touch of luxury and comfort with some extra-added warmth. Radiant floor heat can make all the difference on a chilly winter morning, and it will warm you from the bottom up. If you can’t afford a new heating system for your floors, install a towel warmer so you can wrap yourself in warmth.

P: HGTV

Upscale Shower – Start with a beautifully tiled shower and then up the ante to create the ultimate spa experience by installing multiple shower heads and body jets. If you can fully enclose your shower, add steam and a built-in bench to sit and relax as you sweat your cares away.

Cue the Music – Who doesn’t love singing at the top of their lungs in the shower? Wireless speakers are being incorporated into bathroom mirrors, showerheads, and vanities. Put on Pandora’s spa station and take a relaxing soak in the tub, or pump up the jams to get your morning going. Check out Kohler’s Moxie® Showerhead for a super easy way to add a speaker in your shower.

P: Entirely Eventful Day

Smart Storage – Storage never goes out of style! Take advantage of vertical space and install floor to ceiling cabinetry. If built-in cabinetry is not an option, bring in an interesting piece of furniture like an antique armoire. Open shelving is still a popular trend that works in the bathroom – install floating shelves and neatly arrange extra towels and toiletries.

Go High-Tech – If you love smart home technology, don’t forget the bathroom! You can buy toilets with seat warmers and motion sensors, digital faucets with touchless technology, and soaking tubs with mood-enhancing lighting.

6 Types of Countertops to Suit Your Style

December 16, 2016December 16, 2016Leave a comment

New countertops can totally transform your kitchen, and there are plenty of options out there to choose from, all with their own pros and cons. From modern chic to casual country, there’s a countertop option to suit your design tastes.

P: Decorpad

Granite – The top choice for most, but also the most expensive option for your countertops. Granite comes in a variety of color patterns and is extremely durable. If you are looking to add color and shine to your kitchen to achieve an upscale look, then granite is for you … as long as you have the budget to accommodate the pricey stone.

Butcher Block – Perfect for adding a feel of warmth and comfort to your kitchen, butcher block countertops are available in a variety of woods. If you’re not ready to go all in with butcher block, start small by just replacing your island countertop. Butcher block needs to be well-maintained to keep its beauty.

Glass – A simple, yet gorgeous option, glass countertops paired with stainless appliances will create a sleek and modern kitchen. You may think glass is the most fragile option, but in actuality it’s quite the opposite. Glass countertops are heat, stain, and scratch-resistant, and are also very hygienic.

P: Homedit

Soapstone – No two slabs are exactly the same, so you will get a countertop unique just to your kitchen. Soapstone won’t get damaged from heat and doesn’t stain, so it’s a great option for those who cook a lot. An eco-friendly and timeless option, soapstone is a much more affordable option compared to granite.

Concrete – Concrete countertops offer complete customization, including color, finish, shape, and size. Concrete countertops are extremely durable, but may develop hairline cracks as a result of curing and settling. You can make your own concrete countertops, it is one of the most challenging DIY projects, but it can be done!

Copper – If you are looking for something extravagant, unique, and warm, try copper. It is important to remember that copper is constantly oxidizing, so anything that comes into contact with the surface will leave it’s mark. These counters require a lot of maintenance and quite a bit of prep to install. To copper-ize your countertops, you will have to laminate a sheet of copper to your current countertops or a sheet of MDF.

Our Top 5 Home Trends for 2016

January 12, 2016January 12, 2016Leave a comment

Thinking about a home renovation project or just want to spice up your decor for the New Year? You want to be sure that the items and projects you invest in will stand the test of time, and are not dated fads of years past, especially if you are planning to put your house on the market.

Here are our top 5 favorite home trends for 2016:

P: BHG

Mismatched Cabinets – Add interest to your kitchen by pairing 2 different cabinet styles, varying in color or texture. Think a light color on wall-mounted cabinets and a darker color on cabinets under the counter. Or choose 1 color for wall cabinets and a different color for an island.
P: bostondesignguide.com

Statement Pendant – Change the look and feel of a room just by updating the light fixture. You can find pendant lights in a variety of shapes and sizes, from brightly colored lanterns to industrial style metal-shaded fixtures.
Fireplaces – The fireplace is once again becoming the focal point of rooms. Don’t ignore
P: HGTV

this feature if you have it! Arrange your furniture to put the fireplace center stage. Have a non-working fireplace? No problem, you can still dress it up to make it shine. Fill it with candle holders of varying heights to cast a warm fire-like glow.
Black Stainless Appliances – Instead of shiny new silver, it
P: CNET

looks like sleek black stainless steel appliances will be the finish choice of the future.
Mixed Materials – Create a truly unique space by combining a variety of styles like a rustic wood, sleek tile, shiny metals, and vintage finds.

P.S. Mason jars are so 2015, and word on the street is that the rustic chic look is on the way out.

It’s All About Location

April 16, 2015June 23, 2015Leave a comment

It’s all about location and lifestyle. Do you see yourself living in this house? When you walk into a house for the first time you will have an immediate reaction, “Yes! This is what I’m looking for” or “Ick! Who picks that color for a countertop?” Many objections relate to cosmetic issues. Appliances, countertops, vanities, toilets, floor plans, lights, even floor plans can be changed.

As fans of all HGTV and FYI network shows, The Weaver Team at KW Vermont stays up-to-date on trends all over the country. We are especially attracted to shows that feature “fixing up.” From Love It or List It to Flipping Boston the theme of the shows is to increase the value of the house through renovations. Love It or List It, though, also focuses on whether or not the current homeowners will stay in their current house (post renovation) or sell their current house. These Canadian homeowners are trudging through the snow to see if they can be persuaded to list and move. More often than not the homeowners “Love It” rather than “List It” due to the main factor of location.

The homeowners love their neighborhood. They love the proximity to amenities. They feel comfortable where they live. They enjoy their lifestyle. What they don’t “love” is the outdated floor plans and lack of updated decorating. Not to sound cliché, but in real estate location is everything. When looking at houses it is important to look beyond the items that need updating, changing, or fixing to accommodate your needs. As evident in these “fixer” programs, you can change just about anything to suit your tastes, however, you cannot “fix” the location. Depending on your priorities, say, Green Mountain views for here in Vermont, you are limited to the number of houses that meet that criteria.

When you find a house that meets your criteria such as views, schools, size, price, access to amenities, etc. then you need to think like the “Love It” part of the show. If the house is in your desired location and meets your requirements in almost all categories then you should purchase it and focus on changes that you will make to suit your taste and lifestyle. So, look at that house that doesn’t quite meet your living needs, decorating taste or ideal floor plan, then imagine the possibilities.

The Weaver Team

Your guide to VT Real Estate | Home Staging | Decor | DIY | General Awesomeness

Tag: remodel