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Looking Up: Don’t Ignore the Fifth Wall in Your Kitchen or Bath Renovation

August 26, 2020 by iccfloors Leave a Comment

Ceilings are often an afterthought of the renovation process and don’t get the attention or recognition that they deserve. In a well-designed kitchen or bath in Indianapolis, nothing should be overlooked, including the ceiling. Ceiling height, shape, style, accessories, and color help determine how a space looks and how it feels.

The ceiling should be considered the fifth wall in your new kitchen or bath and should be used to enhance the space’s character. Paint, wallpaper, different textures, heights, finishes and materials can be employed to create a ceiling that serves as a focal point and enhances the overall design and functionality of the space.

The standard height of a kitchen or bath ceiling is eight to nine feet. In some remodels, increasing that height is not practical or even feasible, depending on what is above your bath or kitchen. Typically, we have more flexibility in the bath to incorporate a skylight over a tub, add window space, or create a dropped area of the room to define a portion of the space.

Here are some common ceiling options to enhance your bath or kitchen:

  • Cove ceilings have curved edges between the ceiling and the wall to create a dome-like design that can create a focal point at the top of the walls. One advantage of cove ceilings is that they help make a space appear taller than it is.
  • Vaulted ceilings create a sense of volume and spaciousness to a room and also serve to make a space appear larger than it is. Most homes with a sloped roof can support a vaulted ceiling. Vaulted ceilings can have curved or straight sides and symmetrical or asymmetrical lines.
  • Cathedral ceilings employ straight sides that slope upward at the same angle as the exterior roofline. The most famous cathedral ceiling is at Notre-Dame in Paris. You can’t build anything on top of a cathedral ceiling, but you can create one from unused attic space.
  • Ceiling trays are recessed ceilings at the highest point with an inverted center. Ceiling trays can add more depth to a room and make it appear more spacious.
  • Any new kitchen or bath ceiling can be enhanced by decorative moldings, especially Victorian homes.
  • Beamed ceilings are another tool in a designer’s arsenal to create unique looks. Beams add warmth and character to a room. You need a taller space for beams so the space doesn’t feel small and cramped.
  • Even basic ceilings can be enhanced with statement-making lighting, paint, or patterned wallpaper.

How can you take advantage of the fifth wall to make your new dream kitchen or bath become a reality? Give us a call or make an appointment to visit one of our showrooms for more information.

Filed Under: Bath, Design, Kitchen Tagged With: bath, ceiling, decor, decorating, design, designing, fifth wall, kitchen, renovate

Can Your New Kitchen Accommodate an Island?

August 21, 2020 by iccfloors Leave a Comment

Islands are among the most requested features in the dream kitchens we design for homeowners in Indianapolis. Islands serve multiple purposes: providing a palate for meal preparation, dining, working, a place to do homework, and a storage facility. When homeowners in Indianapolis request an island, we determine if there is sufficient space, and if not, we recommend alternatives that can provide similar functionality.

In smaller spaces, we can custom design an island to fit the space. Common features may include shallower depths, custom cabinetry and custom height. There is no standard specification that is required to custom design an island. Islands in a kitchen must provide enough space for families to maneuver effortlessly and safely throughout the space. The size, shape and location of the island depend first and foremost on the size of the room and who will use the kitchen and for what purposes. The space between the island and cabinetry is called the clearance zone. The National Kitchen & Bath Association suggests a clearance zone of 42 to 48 inches. If that is not possible, we have designed kitchens with clearance zones of 39 inches. The key is to ensure that base cabinets and appliance doors can open unencumbered. There should be a least three feet between an open door and the island to provide safe travel throughout the kitchen.

The clearance zone and size of the island are also affected by the number of users. If there are only two family members who live in the home, smaller islands and clearances are possible. The rule of thumb in sizing and configuring islands is to factor the homeowners’ functionality and aesthetic dreams into the space’s potential clearance. The bottom line is that islands need to be proportionate to the space.  

Island Alternatives

Some kitchens may not be able to accommodate an island. That does not mean you need to compromise the functionality that an island can offer. Reconfiguring a kitchen space to allow for an open floor plan or physically extending the kitchen space are viable options. Rolling islands are another alternative. We partner with wonderful manufacturers who can custom create a butcher block on wheels.

Peninsulas are another popular alternative to islands. The difference between an island and a peninsula is an island has four sides, and a peninsula is fixed to a wall and only offers three sides. Peninsulas offer an extra yard of space.

Can an island or peninsula work in your dream kitchen? We can help you find out if either can. Simply, give us a call or make an appointment to visit one of our showrooms, and help make your dream kitchen a reality.

Filed Under: Countertops, Kitchen

A Healthy Kitchen

August 19, 2020 by iccfloors Leave a Comment

Creating a healthy kitchen can be about making healthy meals for your family, but it can also be about creating a healthy environment. Cooking at home is great on the budget and can also be great for the waistline and overall health. Making sure your kitchen is as healthy as it can be is just as important as the healthy food that is prepared there.

New materials for countertops and floors can help keep kitchens healthier. Anti-microbial properties in natural stone and composite materials mean these materials will be less likely to harbor harmful bacteria or contagions. Stainless steel sinks, counters and appliances are good choices for their resistance to penetration by bacteria and germs.

Even more traditional materials like butcher block cutting boards can be healthy if they are cleaned and maintained properly. Using a specific cutting board for meats and poultry rather than placing these products directly on counters will limit the spread of bacteria.  A mild solution of bleach or vinegar and water can be used on most counter surfaces to keep them clean. Always check before using any new chemicals on your floors or counters.

Healthy kitchens are clean kitchens. Regularly cleaning out the fridge, (that includes wiping down all of the shelves) freezer and cupboards reduces clutter and gets rid of food crumbs. Keeping pantry items in sealed containers will help prevent these crumbs which can prevent unwanted pests.  Check your pantry regularly for signs of these critters.

Being healthy begins with a healthy kitchen.  A clean kitchen may even inspire more cooking and healthier family meals! If you like to cook healthy meals, share some of your favorite dishes or recipes with us in the comments!

Filed Under: Kitchen Tagged With: an organized kitchen, healthy kitchen, home, home maintenance, keeping your kitchen healthy, Kitchen Appliances, kitchen maintenance, kitchen organization, kitchen tips

Five Must-Haves for a Great Bathroom

August 19, 2020 by iccfloors Leave a Comment

The days of a bathroom serving only utilitarian functions have long past. Bathrooms, especially the master bath, can serve as an in-home spa, where homeowners in Indianapolis can spend a few minutes of every day just to themselves, devoid of texts and tweets, to recharge their batteries and wash away the stresses of the day. Functionality, efficiency, and beauty are givens in today’s new bathrooms. To create a bathroom that meets your unique needs, consider the following features as must-haves.

Natural Light

Homeowners in Indianapolis should make windows, skylights, or even glass doors requirements for any renovation. Natural light makes a space more welcoming. It also has therapeutic benefits that include boosting vitamin D that helps prevent bone loss and reduces the risk of heart disease, weight gain, and various cancers, according to Healthline. Plus, natural light puts people in a better mood and improves sleep. That’s why we consider natural light a must for any renovation.

Curbless Shower

Linear drains make curbless showers an accessible option for almost everyone’s home. Curbless showers provide homeowners in Indianapolis with a blank canvas. The shower space does not need to be enclosed and can help make a smaller space more functional, appear larger, and more aesthetically pleasing. Curbless showers do not require a threshold, making shower access easier for those who are mobility-impaired and those who may be aging in place or planning to do so. In curbless showers with linear drains, floor covering only needs to be pitched in one direction. This provides homeowners in Indianapolis with unlimited options when selecting the size and composition of their floorcovering. Another advantage is that linear drains do not limit customers to 4 by 4-inch tile or stone.

Sightlines

A bathroom should not be the first thing you see when you enter a home, walk into a bedroom or leave a kitchen or dining room. If possible, do not position a bathroom in a location with direct sightlines from the kitchen, living room or dining room.

Water Closet Location

The same sightline principle that applies to other rooms in the home applies to the location of the toilet in the bathroom. The water closet should not be the first fixture that you see when entering the bath. Space permitting, we often recommend a separate enclosure for the water closet. Not only does it take the toilet out of a line of sight, but it also provides users with privacy.

Size

You don’t need to have the biggest bath in the neighborhood to have the best performing bath for your family’s needs. You can create an exceptional bath in a relatively small space. We know how to specify products that make smaller spaces appear larger. We know how to create in-home spas with multi-functional shower systems, therapies that can relax tired muscles, rejuvenate skin tone and contribute to your health and wellbeing. Size may be a challenge but never an obstacle to creating the bath of your dreams.

If you would like to discuss how a new bathroom can make your life better and more enjoyable, be sure to visit one of our locations.

Filed Under: Bath Tagged With: bathroom, bathrooms

Making the Most out of Your Kitchen Island

August 14, 2020 by iccfloors Leave a Comment

We all know that kitchen islands make a kitchen look complete, add more countertop space, and are essentially needed in a big kitchen. However, we can make our kitchen island more efficient and really work for us. All that’s required is a little extra planning in the design process.

In this photo, the island is the home for the cooktop, as well as, added storage for dishes. The storage is actually built into the unit to provide safe shelving for dishware. The look that is created, from essentially having cut-outs, is a pleasing architectural effect. The island has the appearance of a cantilevered structure and depth is added when the dishes are placed on the actual island. This is done by creating positive and negative space. The positive space is the white island itself. Negative space is the cut-out shelves within the island.

Having a cooktop, sink, or combination of both in the kitchen island frees up countertop space. Free space in other areas of the kitchen can be used for more prep space, organizing groceries, or even placing food out as a serving station. This requires a little extra work from an electrician or plumber but it is well worth it. It makes it easier to use your kitchen by being able to go back and forth, from your island and the rest of your kitchen equipment. It makes it easy to work when you have added countertop space to work on.

We mentioned earlier that an island is needed in a large kitchen. This is because large kitchens have a lot of open floor space. An island breaks this vast space up and makes it more useable. Also, small kitchens can benefit from having an island. This is especially true if the sink or range is placed on the island.

It’s important to really think about your lifestyle and how you will use your kitchen. This kind of information will help us design the best kitchen for your lifestyle. For instance, do you like to entertain? Are you right or left-handed? Do you do most of the cooking or are there two cooks in your household? What type of food do you like to cook?

No judgment here! If you tell us you eat 2 out of 3 meals out of the microwave, we will make sure the microwave gets the best spot in the kitchen. If you tell us that you have small children, we can focus on details like making sure that the sippy cups are placed low enough for the littles to reach. If you tell us that you have dinner parties often we can make sure that your island is designed for appetizer presentation and conversation.

Tell us your story and we’ll help design the perfect kitchen for you! Ready to get started? Connect with us here!

Filed Under: Cabinetry, Kitchen Tagged With: kitchen, kitchen cabinets, kitchen design, kitchen island, kitchen planning, kitchen remodel

What’s Trending in Kitchen Design?

August 14, 2020 by iccfloors Leave a Comment

Kitchen and bath renovations are booming. Many homeowners in Indianapolis realize that working from home is not a passing fad. Many will be working from home for the near-term future and most likely longer than that. That’s one reason why homeowners in Indianapolis want to increase their home’s functionality and appeal. If we are spending most of our time at home, then the home should be where you want to be.

The kitchen remains the heart of the home; it’s where meals are prepared, families and friends gather and children do homework. The average American spends more than one week out of every year in the kitchen. And that number is expected to climb as work from home remains a force.

A recent study of more than 500,000 Instagram posts identified the top kitchen trends. Modern design exemplified by clean, simple lines was the number one design style followed by:

  • farmhouse kitchens
  • country motifs
  • traditional design
  • rustic
  • cottage
  • shaker
  • industrial
  • minimalist
  • transitional

Top trends among kitchen features:

  • granite countertops
  • pantry cabinets
  • quartz countertops
  • kitchen islands
  • eco-friendly
  • brass faucets
  • copper hardware
  • mosaic backsplash tile
  • induction cooktops
  • farmhouse sinks

Color trends:

  • White
  • Black
  • Green
  • Blue
  • Cream
  • Pink
  • Gray
  • Yellow
  • Peach
  • Floral

Are you looking to create a dream, trend-setting kitchen in your home? If so, be sure to visit one of our beautiful showrooms for more information!

Filed Under: Kitchen

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