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While carpet reigned supreme in the 1980’s, hardwood floors made a strong comeback and looks to be here to stay as the top flooring choice in the upcoming years. In particular, look for deeper tones in hardwood flooring and the appearance of more exotic woods for a high end appeal.

Hardwood Flooring Mahogany

Mahogany hardwood flooring in its natural state is a reddish, warm brown color slightly darker than Cherry. Its smooth texture and straight grain has always been a favorite for fine furniture and upscale cabinetry, so it’s no wonder it has transitioned to hardwood flooring.

Mahogany hardwood floors have always been a popular choice in hot and humid regions, such as Florida. Since Mahogany is a denser wood, it’s able to withstand moisture and heat damage better than Oak and Pine wood floors. In the past, Mahogany hardwood floors were reserved for more formal and traditional décor. Look to see Mahogany making an appearance in a more casual look, with a lighter, more natural stain.

Hardwood Flooring Cherry

Cherry is the hardest and most durable wood found in the United States. It has a gorgeous golden, red brown color with a straight grain. As with Mahogany, Cherry has traditionally been used in high end furniture and cabinetry, and it’s becoming a fast favorite for hardwood floors with its ability to take stain and finishes.

Cherry hardwood flooring has also been popular in more traditional and formal homes, but its durability and warm luster has made it a must-have for those looking for a hardwood flooring that becomes better looking with age. Cherry hardwood flooring is unique in that as it ages, it matures to a rich, burnished color with a subtle grain. While Cherry hardwood floors have maintained their popularity through the years, look for wider planks to bring an increased popularity to this time honored favorite.

Hardwood Flooring Tigerwood

Tigerwood is a stunning, exotic Brazilian wood with a rich, deep almost orange color with a dark, vein-like grain giving it the appearance of tiger stripes. Tigerwood is also a favorite for furniture and cabinetry, as well as boat building. Tigerwood is fast becoming a favorite hardwood flooring as it polishes well and takes stain and finishes well for maximum impact.

Tigerwood hardwood flooring ages beautifully and deepens and becomes richer over time, with the background colors changing to a darker red color, making the ‘tiger striping’ less pronounced and more subtle. Tigerwood flooring will become a favorite for homeowners looking for an exotic flooring that ‘wows’ visitors. We expect to see Tigerwood hardwood flooring becoming particularly popular in entryways and stairways.

Hardwood flooring is an excellent investment for homeowners looking for a flooring option that will become more attractive with age and withstand the test of time. We expect it to also be a timeless trend in flooring with universal appeal.

Glass bathroom vessel sinks took the kitchen and bath design world by storm when they came onto the design scene in the past decade. But vessel sinks, a free-standing sink that sets on the countertop rather than in the countertop, are based on the freestanding wash basins from centuries back before running water.

Today, vessel sinks are not only adding a splash off whimsy in bathrooms and powder rooms, but they are branching into styles all their own. In particular, the trend for the upcoming year is glass bathroom vessel sinks to create a focal point.

Match No More

Traditionally, bathroom fixtures were matched in color, style and material. The latest trend in bathroom design has thrown these rules out and we’ve seen glass bathroom vessel sinks making an appearance in many master baths, particularly in those with the spa-retreat style that has become trendy in the past year.

Functional Art

Interior design has always been about combining function and style, and vessel sinks have taken this to a new level. Art glass bathroom vessel sinks in particular are in vogue for the upcoming year, especially for powder rooms and guest baths.

Cultivating Counter Space

With the vessel sink up and off the bathroom countertop, a more sleek, streamlined style is opening up counter space. Look for a more minimalist style in bathroom furnishings to follow this trend.

Shaping Style

Glass bathroom vessel sinks are going to be looking to new shapes and sizes in the upcoming designs. Look for large, square and unusually shaped vessel sinks to add a whole new dimension to this design phenomenon.

Fascinating Focal Points

With the sink or vanity area the focal point of a bathroom, glass vessel sinks step up to the plate in adding a whole new dimension to this area. In the past we’ve seen fancy bathroom vanities functioning as the focal point, but the trend is pointing towards a more understated elegance in vanities and a showier vessel sink taking front and center stage. Expect to see more neutral and deeper tones in bathrooms with the vessel sinks adding color and contrast.

For homeowners concerned that a glass bathroom vessel sink may date their bathroom at some point down the road – not to worry, for this fad has turned into a trend, and the trend has become a new standard in bathroom design.

The color of kitchen cabinets can set the style and tone for your kitchen. Choosing the right finish for cabinets can make or break kitchen décor, so let’s take a look at the latest trends in tone and color for kitchen cabinets.

Modern Kitchen Style

Light color kitchen cabinets with wood tones of ash and birch can really give a modern look to kitchens. It tends to give a streamlined, efficient feel to the kitchen that wants to be the front and center of 21^st Century style. Pairing the light color of the cabinets with stainless steel or polished nickel finishes is one of the most popular ways to get the modern kitchen look.

Traditional Kitchen Style

For a more traditional look, deep color kitchen cabinets are the way to go. A deep mahogany or cherry kitchen cabinet finish gives kitchens an elegant look. Deeply stained oak cabinets are always a popular choice as well, and these choices make the cabinets blend more seamlessly to furniture in nearby dining rooms.

Country Kitchen Style

For a down-home, country look and feel to a kitchen, knotty pine and warm, golden color kitchen cabinets are the best choice. These finishes tend to make gathering in the kitchen more comfortable and are a favorite for eat-in kitchens and country style.

Elegant Kitchen Style

Exotic woods are becoming a popular trend in kitchen cabinets. Quarter-sawn oak, knotty chestnut and burl-wood finishes are becoming the high end choice for homeowners looking to add a one-of-a-kind look to their kitchens.

Old-World Kitchen Style

For homeowners looking to give a nod back to the early Europeans, the old world style demands deep, richly colored kitchen cabinets. In addition, cabinetry tends to take on a furniture look and surrounded by natural surfaces such as brick and stone, you can take a grand tour of old Europe with this kitchen décor.

Rustic Kitchen Styles

Rustic kitchens can run the gamut from lodge style to Adirondack style and the color kitchen cabinets look best with is warm, rich, earth tones such as hickory and knotty pine. This Americana style can handle a strong grain in wood kitchen cabinets, so dare to go bold and big in this kitchen décor.

When you choose wood kitchen cabinets, you will need to decide between leaving your wood in its natural state with a clear stain; staining the cabinet by adding rich tones, but still allowing the grain of the wood to show through; or applying a heavier stain that can change the look of the wood. The choice is yours and depends on the look and feel you want for your kitchen.

Homeowners looking to upgrade their kitchens are installing granite countertops for a durable, low maintenance work surface. Proper care of granite countertops ensures the durability and longevity expected from this premium product. But homeowners aren’t always familiar with the proper methods for cleaning granite countertops, so we offer the following:

Cleaning Granite Countertops

As each natural stone or mineral surface can vary, your granite countertop may have specific cleaning requirements specified by the supplier or builder. The following method is a general guide for polished granite countertops:

For Everyday Cleaning

1. Do not use abrasives or harsh cleaners, as they can wear down and damage the polished surface.

2. Wipe the granite countertop down lightly with a dry, soft cloth to remove crumbs or debris.

3. Use warm water and a very small amount of ph-balanced dish soap and wipe down the surface.

4. Dry lightly with a dishtowel.

For Periodic or Weekly Cleaning

1. Wipe the countertop down lightly with a dry, soft cloth.

2. Spray a mist of recommended granite cleaner over the surface.

3. Let the product soak for approximately 1 minute.

4. Clean with a sponge or soft towel or rag.

5. Buff and dry the surface with a clean towel or paper towel.

Maintaining Granite Countertops

Granite is one of the hardest stone surfaces there is, second only to diamonds, but granite is created from molten rock, and can contain softer minerals. While granite countertops may be honed, in other words, have a flat finish, a polished surface is recommended for kitchen granite countertops.

1. Avoid letting acidic foods and liquids, such as wine, vinegar or lemon, set on the countertop, as it can affect the surface. Wiping down the countertop after use can help keep damaging products from being left in contact with the surface.

2. Use a cutting board for food preparation, do not cut food directly on the countertop.

3. Do not use powder cleaning products or harsh cleaning products.

4. Use a penetrating sealant recommended by your supplier or builder annually. Make sure the granite countertop sealant is one that actually penetrates the surface, otherwise a cloudy film may remain, and the surface may need to be stripped and resealed to get your shine back.

Removing Stains from Granite Countertops

Granite countertops are often chosen over marble since they are less porous and more stain resistant. But if you should happen to have a stain, remove it by mixing a ‘paste’ of:

• One Tablespoon of PH-balanced, mild dishwashing soap;
• ½ Cup of Flour

Add water to make a pasty consistency. Cover stain with the solution, and leave for one hour. Remove the hardened paste carefully using the edge of a credit card or wooden utensil. Rinse the area. If the stain remains, try the solution again, leaving overnight covered with a plastic wrap. Remove and rinse.

Kitchen and bath remodeling are the top two renovation projects for homeowners looking to upgrade their homes. Not only does a kitchen remodel or bathroom remodel offer the most visual impact in the home, but these projects also offer the best return for the money spent.

Kitchen remodeling projects offer an 85% – 95% rate of return on the investment, meaning the cost of the kitchen upgrade will result in a higher sales price or value in your home. For example: A kitchen renovation that costs $20,000 will result in a higher selling price or market value of $17,000 – $19,000 for your home.

As for bathroom remodeling projects, it is estimated that 80% – 100% of the cost can be recouped for the project. With the average mid-grade bath remodeling project costing $11,000, according to the National Association of Realtors, you may expect to realize an additional $8,800 – $11,000 in the value of your home.

With today’s real estate market fluctuations, more homeowners are looking to add value to their homes with kitchen and bath remodeling projects. The upgrades and renovations that can offer the most impact for these projects include:

• Updating fixtures and appliances: New plumbing fixtures and appliances can give dated bathrooms and kitchens a more modern look with more conveniences and energy efficiency.
• Updating tile and flooring: Tile is the most popular flooring choice for kitchens and bathrooms for homeowners and potential homebuyers. It offers an inexpensive flooring option with the looks and low maintenance to make it slip seamlessly into a remodeling project. Wood kitchen flooring and marble floors are the runners up in flooring choices, and expanded choices in these categories show these gaining in popularity with homeowners.
• Updating countertops: Granite is quickly becoming the kitchen countertop favorite due to its durability, sleek looks and low maintenance appeal. With granite countertop prices falling due to increased availability of the supply, it’s making an appearance in many budget kitchen remodeling projects.
• Replacing cabinetry: Replacing and upgrading kitchen and bath cabinets can bring a whole new look to tired rooms. Built-in kitchen and bath cabinets with specialty functions are particularly popular for kitchen and bath remodeling projects.

While bottom lines and rates of return are important considerations for kitchen and bath remodels, your personal preferences and comfort are certainly at the top of the list as well. The key is to balance preferences while keeping the impact of the project on the home’s market value in mind.

Homeowners can weigh their options and choices according to how long they plan to reside in the home. Certainly if a home sale is looming in the next few years, choosing kitchen and bath remodeling projects that will appeal to potential homebuyers and offer high rates of return can pay off when the time comes to establish the market value and selling price of your home.

• Expert knowledge. Finding someone with expert-level knowledge about home renovation to quickly answer your questions.  We’ve been in this industry for 10 years and have carried out a wide variety of projects for indoors, outdoors, small houses, mansions, sidewalks, patios, and everything in between.  We can answer your questions quickly as soon as you walk in the door, not have to radio someone on the floor who may or may not know what they’re talking about.
• The right team. There are some shops that do a fantastic job of putting together the right subcontractors to carry out a project.  Some times, the  project manager doesn’t find the best talent that can deliver on time and original schedules are modified multiple times, not to mention charges are sometimes passed on to the customer.  We’ve learned over the years its best to hire the best talent up front and keep them in house.  Behind the scenes, we’re constantly coaching and training our crew to perform the best job for different scenarios.  For the far majority of our standard projects, we do not subcontract and the individuals that are out on the job site (usually your home) have been with use for an average of 6 years.  We know the pace our professionals keep when working on a project and when we give a projected finished due date, we meet it 99% of the time.
• Turn around time. Since we like to keep the process in house, we own all of the equipment we use.  We’ve invested well over 6 figures to acquire the highest grade tools available to get the job done.  This means we don’t outsource any of our work.  For example, if we’re installing a granite countertop, we will do all the sizing, cutting, polishing, and edge making.  Most of our standard granite kitchen installs are done in about 3 days time, start to complete finish.  We know it’s your home, your kitchen, your bathroom, etc, and you want it back as quickly as professionally possible.
• Turn-key service. There can be a lot of elements involved in renovating a new space.  Sometimes, plumbers, electricians or other fully licensed specialists are needed to do plumbing or electrical work.  We can provide top-notch references to experts that have been practicing their trade for many years and they team up with us on projects on a weekly basis.  When you need a space renovated, we can provide free quotes to get everything done.  That’s our turn key offering.
• References. As we’re not a big chain, we have the advantage of keeping close and friendly relations with all our customers.  We’re blessed to be continuously busy throughout the entire year and we can provide real names/addresses and references with pictures if requested on a rolling weekly basis.

From the Armstrong’s Hardwood Flooring Guide: Solid Solid wood is just that – one piece that is milled from lumber. It comes in a variety of widths, from 2-1/4″ to 5″ wide. It also comes in different thicknesses: 3/4″ is standard, but you can also find “thin profile” solid that is 5/16″ thick. Keep In Mind: 5/16″ thin profile solid wood can be installed directly over concrete; 3/4″ can’t. All urethane coated floors can be recoated as needed to renew the surface of the floor. This is more economical than sanding and refinishing. All solid hardwood can be sanded and refinished if needed (required every 15-20 years). Moisture and extreme temperature changes can cause solid wood to shrink and expand, potentially causing gaps between boards during colder or dryer seasons.
Engineered Engineered wood is real wood, but instead of one solid piece it consists of three to 10 thin layers of wood, called plies, that are assembled and glued in a cross-ply construction.  Due to its multi-ply structure, engineered wood is much more stable than solid wood and is less susceptible to shrinking and expanding with changes in temperatures and humidity. The top layer of wood can range from 1/16″ to 1/6″ thick. Overall board thickness ranges from 1/4″ to 3/4″. Keep In Mind: Engineered wood with a top layer thinner than 1/10″ cannot be refinished; however, it can be recoated to renew the surface of the floor. Engineered wood can be installed directly over concrete and can also be installed below ground level.
Site-Finished vs. Prefinished Prefinished A pre-finish, or factory finish, creates a no muss, no fuss installation. These floors are warranted to last longer than site-finished floors–typically 15 to 25 years, versus three to five years.There’s no dust from sanding, no fumes from chemicals, no waiting for the finish to dry. This is because factory applied urethane finishes are much tougher and longer lasting than site-applied finishes. With all the color choices available in pre-finished hardwood flooring, there’s no need to custom stain site-finished floors to get just the right look for your home. If you like the look of site-finished flooring, but want the durability of prefinished flooring, choose a product with a square end and edge. Site-Finished Advocates of site-finishing like the fact that the floor can be sanded after it’s installed to even out any imperfections.  However, on-site sanding and finishing can produce heavy fumes, messy dust and significant waiting time from when the floor is laid until it can be enjoyed. Site finishing also gives you the widest selection of stain colors to choose from.In addition, labor costs for on-site finishing may drive up your installation costs. Keep in Mind: Prefinished floors are warranted for a longer time period than site finished floors.

From the Johnson’s Hardwood Care And Maintenance Guide

Preventive Maintenance: starts with temperature control. If you are comfortable it is right for your floor.  Temperatures should be kept between 60 to 80 degrees F. and the relative humidity should be between 35 – 50% at all times.

Long term Maintenance: depends on how well you maintain your floor on a regular basis. When high traffic areas begin to show wear and become delustered (this will be noticed by a white cast and dulling of the shine), it may be time for a fresh coat of finish to be applied to your floor to enhance the longevity and beauty of your investment.  Both Basic Coatings and Bona Kemi have systems to recoat your floor with high quality urethane finishes.

Use exterior and interior doormats at all entrances to collect dirt and moisture and prevent it from being tracked on to the floor. Do not use rugs with rubber or vinyl backing. This is to prevent staining and entrapment of moisture. Area rugs are recommended at all pivot points and within high traffic areas such as kitchen sinks and hallways. Use only non slip pads recommended for use on wood floors.

Routine Maintenance: vacuum, sweep or dust mop your floor once a week or more if needed. The vacuum head should be a brush or felt attachment. Make sure to vacuum interior doormats and shake debris from exterior doormats regularly. Do not use a vacuum with a beater bar head.

Use furniture leg protector pads (felt or indoor outdoor carpet type) under all furniture that is placed on your new floor.  Do not wear shoes having heel taps, spikes, cleats, rocks, gravel or sharp objects protruding from the sole. Make certain to keep them clean and well maintained. Chairs with plastic casters should be replaced with rubber caster wheels. Make sure to keep pets nails trimmed. Make sure to remove any metal or hard plastic caps that are on the bottom of the legs prior to applying furniture protectors. Do not roll, or drag heavy objects across your floor.

Spills, pet accidents, or tracked in dirt should be cleaned immediately. The sooner a mess is removed, the easier it is to clean up and prevent tracking.  The above procedures and products will help maintain the shine of your beautiful wood floor. . Never clean or wet mop with water! Water may permanently damage the floor. We recommend Basic Coatings Squeaky Clean or Bona X floor Care Systems for regular cleaning and removing grease and smudges from your floor. Do not use harsh abrasive cleaners, bleach, ammonia or vinegar based cleaners, wax or acrylic polishes, or oil soaps.

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