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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.

Remodeling for Beginners: During the Project

March 13, 2020 by iccfloors Leave a Comment

Last month, we focused on remodeling for beginners, and we discussed how to start your project. This month, we wanted to focus on what to do during your remodeling project. Let’s get started!

Prepare Your Space

Before any home renovation or remodeling project, it is imperative to prep the space for your workers. However, the amount of work you do entirely depends on the type of project. If you are just having your floors redone, you will need to remove everything off of the floors. But if you are doing an entire kitchen renovation, you will need to take everything out of the room, much like you would do when you move houses.

Also, remember to be courteous of your workers’ time and schedules by preparing the room one or two days before their arrival. If there are large appliances that you physically cannot move on your own, mention the items to your workers and see if they can assist you. Otherwise, items in drawers and cabinets should be fully boxed up before their arrival to ensure a quick and easy transition.

Be Flexible

While it is important to have a timeline in mind, it is also essential to be flexible. Unfortunately, manufacturer delays and unforeseen circumstances can disrupt timelines; therefore, try to roll with the punches.

Create a Secondary Kitchen & Bath

If you are having your kitchen or bathroom remodeled, it is crucial to create some sort of “backup” room. For instance, when your kitchen is out of commission for several weeks, you should capitalize on another spacious area of your home to hold your backup kitchen. For example, you may have room in the corner of your living room for a small table. This table can house your microwave, toaster, and convection oven during the remodel. Plus, having this area will allow you to still eat meals at home during the renovation.

Communicate Kindly & Effectively

Whenever possible, try to be a nice boss by communicating your thoughts, ideas, and feelings kindly and effectively. If you are frustrated by any hold-ups, kindly let your contractor know your concerns. You do not want to build any unneeded tension between you and your workers because remodeling should be a fun experience.

Set Aside Extra Money

Lastly, when budgeting for your project, it is important to set aside a little extra money. This money will help be a cushion in case any unforeseen circumstances or additional costs arise. Plus, if you do not end up needing/using it, you have extra money saved for a rainy day.

We hope that you found these five ideas helpful, and be sure to check back weekly for more expert advice. Thanks for reading!

Remodeling for Beginners: Where to Start

February 7, 2020 by iccfloors Leave a Comment

Whether you have lived in your home for years or you are simply updating the new house that you bought, remodeling a home is a great way to adapt your house to your specific needs. Since our homes are our safe place of refuge from the world, making your space tailored to your needs and wants is the best way to make a house a home. However, remodeling projects can be expensive avenues to explore. If it is your first-time remodeling, here is everything you need to know:

Remodeling for Your Home to Your Needs

When beginning a home remodel, you will want to decide what are some of the most pressing issues. Perhaps, you are remodeling your home to add another bedroom or change your kitchen layout. What is your reasoning? Try to look at some of the most urgent matters. For instance, if you are looking to remodel your kitchen because you do not have enough countertop space or cabinets, make sure you prioritize this step in the remodel. Trying to separate your needs and wants is a significant first step.

Selecting What You Want

However, wants can be fundamental at well. They are what make your home personalized to you. Perhaps, you like dark hardwood floors and marble countertops. These personal preferences are a great way to help you love your home even more. Plus, there are hundreds of unique ways to customize your home during a remodel. It can help to create a digital or physical mood board. On this board, collect paint samples that you plan on using, flooring samples, hardware samples, and anything else that will be coming into the new environment. This method can let you step back and look at how all these selections complement one another.

Considering Alternative Solutions

Maybe you are remodeling your home by removing a wall for a more open layout. However, upon investigation, you realize the wall you planned to delete is a load barrier wall. Remodeling projects are full of unique surprises. During the process, be prepared to adapt. You may want to assess a room in several alternative options before beginning the remodel.

When in Doubt, Hire a Contractor

When in doubt, hire a contractor! Unless you know the ins and outs of architecture and home improvements, remodeling projects can be very elaborate. You may want to find a contractor to oversee the project. With a contractor’s expertise, they can assess your space and find what is feasible and not. A contractor will also be able to put you together a good quote to help complete the project.

Remodeling your home can be exciting. Do not get overwhelmed in the process and understand it can take time. Make sure you thoroughly inspect how everything you do to your home can affect the final project. With these tricks in mind, novice or not, you can confidently remodel your home.

Transitioning Your Home as You Age

January 17, 2020 by iccfloors Leave a Comment

Anyone born during the years 1946 to 1964 is considered a Baby Boomer. Baby Boomers make up nearly 20% of the U.S. population. In fact, they got their unique name from the significant amount of them born after World War 2 and the 1960s. And if you do the math, Baby Boomers are currently 56 to 74 years old.

With Baby Boomers being in the retirement age bracket, remodels can be an ideal choice for many of them. In fact, there are several remodeling features that Baby Boomers favor due to their functionality and ease-of-use. Some may even find it to be the perfect time in their lives to transition their homes for their new retirement lifestyle.

To help your home grow with you, ICC Home wants to create a seamless transition for Baby Boomers. This process begins with remodeling various areas of your home. The different areas will need to be focused on safety, functionality, ease-of-use, and efficiency. With all of these factors in mind, ICC Home has put together five remodeling projects for aging in place. Let’s take a look!

Comfortability

As we age, we may have the occasional accidental slip or fall. Much like with children, it can be important to create a soft barrier for any accidental falls. Since the word accidental is operative here, we believe that you can never be too careful. That is why we recommend carpeting for Baby Boomers. It is soft enough to act as a barrier between a fall while being slip-resistant to help prevent the fall in the first place. Plus, you can even incorporate carpet in areas like your kitchen and bathroom through the use of area rugs.

Accessibility

Most seniors will agree that their bathroom‘s accessibility needs assistance. If you are planning on staying in the same home as you age, you can make some customizable updates to your bathroom. These updates will help you move throughout your bathroom with comfort and ease. They can include:

Grab Bars Next to Bathtub
Comfort-Height Toilets
Walk-in Bathtubs
Curbless Shower Systems
Additional Lighting

Mobility

If mobility is your issue, you will want to take a look at the flooring in your bathroom. In general, the bathroom can be a hazardous area for accidental falls. While carpet cannot be installed in bathrooms, you can incorporate slip-resistant tiles. These tiles help give you more traction on your floors. Plus, you can incorporate area rugs throughout your design for additional comfort.

Practicality

While the kitchen may not be the first place to come to mind, it is important to transition your kitchen as you age. There are simple upgrades that you can make that will make life a little easier. These upgrades include:

Shallow Sink Basins
A Microwave at Countertop Height
Increasing Your Amount of Drawers
Eliminating Barriers and Trip Hazards
Installing Slip-Resistant Tiles

Affordability

If you are looking for a slip-resistant floor for your kitchen and bathroom and do not want to go the ceramic tile/natural stone route, luxury vinyl can be an excellent option. It provides a slip-resistant, water-resistant, and durable surface that is perfect for bathrooms and kitchens alike. Plus, you can get the authentic look of hardwood or tile for a great price.

Like we previously mentioned, at ICC Home, we want to help you transition your space as you age. Be sure to visit our showroom to view our beautiful room scenes and talk to one of our sales representatives about your needs. We look forward to working with you!

The Design Process and What to Expect

May 4, 2019 by iccfloors Leave a Comment

Beginning the design process can seem a little intimidating at first, but it is a new opportunity to express yourself through design. Whether you are redesigning, renovating or building a home from scratch, every design comes with its own set of circumstances. That is why it is essential to approach every design with an organized game plan for a successful finished product. Unfortunately, failing to plan can sometimes lead to unpreparedness and interruptions. Our team is dedicated to creating a pain-free process to help transform your home and bring your dream oasis to life. To help you stay prepared, here is everything you need to know when beginning the design process:

Envision

What do you want your design to say? Are you aiming for a comfortable oasis to entertain guests or chic and sleek fixtures to make your guests “ooh and ahh.” Simply put, at ICC Home, we want to bring your dreams to life. To help our expert sales staff fully grasp what you want to accomplish, we recommend bringing in some of your favorite ideas. You can explore our showroom or create a mood board to gain inspiration and gather ideas you want to incorporate in your design. You can create a mood board digitally by saving pictures or pinning ideas you are looking to replicate. Just be sure to find designs that feel tailored and expressive of you because the environment you create is a reflection of yourself.

Establish and Adapt

Next, you will want to establish a style you are looking to create. There are hundreds of design themes to use as references (Minimalism, Art Deco, Rustic, Modern, etc.). Create a budget and establish what the room’s purpose will be. After, you will want to find products that create your atmosphere and reestablish your purpose. But no need to worry, because we will help guide you in selecting the perfect colors, materials, flooring, cabinets, and more.

As a reminder, some products may not work in every atmosphere so you may need to adapt some planning. For example, you may not be able to put hardwood over a slab or knock down a support wall. Adapting your vision to work with your home’s blueprint and architecture can be an essential part of the design process.

Transform and Create

Next, in the process, we will begin to create and transform your home. By providing a one-stop-shop, we hope to create a smooth design process and keep you updated along the way. We understand that the remodeling process can be stressful, but we will create a pleasant experience with an expert team. Bringing your dreams to life is our goal.

This simple three-step process is all it takes. So, start collecting ideas today, and envision your dream home. Let us establish the plans together as we transform your home into a paradise.