What is Your Bathroom Style?

While the bathroom might not be the most glamorous of topics to discuss, it certainly does not lack an ability to be glamourous in its style. And when it comes to style options for the bathroom, there are a wide range of options depending on how your tastes run. In fact, the bathroom is one of the rooms that allows for the most options with design and style. From selecting cabinets, countertops, flooring, and plumbing fixtures, there are a plethora of decisions to be made that can influence the style of your bathroom. Check out a few of the more popular styles below and see how we at Key Residential have incorporated some of those styles into our own projects.

For many years traditional style has been the go-to favorite for bathrooms. While recent years has seen popular opinion slowly shifting away from traditional style, it remains a classic and polished look for the bathroom. The traditional styled bath will likely not incorporate many new-age styled design options. Instead it basks in the comfort of the tried and true staples that give the room an established and comforting feel. They will likely feature vanities with shaker style cabinets either in a wood stain or neutral paint color that still shows the grain of the wood. Stone countertops, such as granite or marble, are strong staples in a traditional styled bath. Plumbing fixtures will likely be the classic white and hardware will be a metallic material.

On the opposite side of the spectrum from traditional is modern. Modern style can be hard to define in specifics because it encompasses such a wide range of eclectic options. Overall, modern style incorporates a look of minimalism through the use of clean, sleek lines and glossy finishes. Typically with modern design there will be a specific stand out element. This could range from an architectural feature to tile color or unique shape or to a stand out tub or vanity. Modern style is not afraid of the new, and so things like floating vanities, trough sinks, and integrating technology are often embraced.

 

Contemporary style can sometimes be seen as a medium between traditional and modern style. It tends to rely on the clean and simple lines often seen in modern style but in turn it incorporates some of the more comforting features of traditional style like wood finishes. Contemporary style isn’t afraid to play around a little with unique features, such as with colors or plumbing fixtures. But it grounds those special touches by surrounding them with more common staples. Things you might see in a contemporary bath are flat paneled wood vanities with a vessel sink or perhaps a shower with a unique tile pattern design.

 

Rustic is one of those styles where you can either fully commit by using it throughout your entire bathroom or you can pick and choose a few pieces that really exude country charm and pair them with elements of another less distinctive style. These bathrooms often feature a lot of wood details and have an aged or well lived in appearance. Clawfoot tubs are a popular feature of country/rustic bathrooms. Vanities often have the design of a furniture piece if they were not repurposed from an old piece of furniture already. Antiques make for great decorations in these bathrooms.

Top Trends in Outdoor Living

The popularity of outdoor living has been on the rise in recent years. As more people are looking for ways to spend increasing time outside without having to leave the comfort of their own homes. And can we really blame them? Now that we’re in the heart of summer coming home to a shaded patio, refreshing pool, or a home cooked barbeque seems like the perfect way to end the long work day or to enjoy a relaxing weekend. Regardless of whether you have a sprawling backyard or a small confined space, there are plenty of ways to upgrade your home so that you can have an easy excuse to spend more time in the refreshing outdoors. Need some ideas? Check out a few of these current popular trends.

 

Easy Transition from Indoor to Outdoor

With how much people love getting outdoors these days, it shouldn’t be a surprise that one of the current top trends is to make the indoor to outdoor transition as easy as possible. Luckily innovations in the door industry has made this a manageable goal. Look for doors that either provide a large opening, have a lot of window space, or even accomplish both. French style doors have long been popular, but some newer options that are gaining traction are things like sliding doors or stackable doors. These doors can be opened to allow for large openings between the outside and inside.

Maximize Space

A large backyard is not required to be able to enjoy outdoor living. Smart planning and use of space can help turn even the smallest of backyards into a personal oasis. Available space will play a factor in what elements of outdoor living can be included (unfortunately things like pools do need a certain amount of space). But patios or outdoor kitchens can more easily be adapted depending on available space. And smaller spaces often mean more money can be invested per square foot.

 

Seamless Integration

Ensuring that outdoor living spaces feel like a natural part of the home is another top trend. Outdoor living spaces are being designed to fit in or complement the existing home and not stand out as a strange eyesore that doesn’t belong. A modern or contemporary design will feel strange when paired with a traditional or country rustic designed home. Using similar if not identical materials to the home itself is another key to achieving this seamlessness. Exterior brick and siding can easily be transitioned for use on outdoor built ins and there are some materials, such as tile, stone, and some woods, that are able to be used both inside and outside.

Fully Equipped Outdoor Kitchens

Grills and smokers are nice, but a fully equipped outdoor kitchen is the way to go if you’re looking to spend a quality amount of time outdoors. Plus it can help cut down on mess and too much back and forth between the inside and out. The less transfer required between your indoor kitchen and outdoor kitchen the better. Some things to consider beyond the standard cooking appliances are a cleanup station, cabinets with plenty of countertop space, and even perhaps a refrigerator or smaller beverage fridge. Unique cooking appliances, such as pizza ovens or deep fryers, are also becoming quite popular.

Protection from the Elements


Summer is likely the first season that comes to mind when thinking of times when an outdoor living area will see the most use. But with the right planning outdoor living could be used year-round. One way to achieve that is to include protection from the elements. Outdoor heaters, fireplaces, or fire pits can make outdoor living spaces more habitable in the winter. Screens or mosquito sprayers can help combat unwanted pests from getting in. And even in the summer, things like outdoor fans or built in shade can help make an outdoor space more habitable.

 

 

 

Minimal Maintenance Materials

Perhaps you have avoided adding an outdoor living space because you just see it as more space to care for. Completely neglecting the care of your outdoor living space is inadvisable, but there are materials that require less care than others, and that is probably one of the key reasons why they are currently so popular. For flooring consider using concrete or stone versus wood. Landscaping that requires less upkeep would be good to consider and you could always add in more hardscaping to cut down on how much greenery you will need to care for.

 

Clever Lighting

Don’t let the lack of natural light force you to retreat inside. Outdoor lighting can help to extend the amount of time you spend outdoors. It is also a clever way to decorate and add some design to your outdoor space. Cafe string lights are a popular choice. Lighting can also be used to either highlight certain architectural features or be a feature all on its own. Color changing pool lights can also be a fun way to liven things up.

2017 Summer Home Maintenance Checklist

Yesterday marked the first official day of summer, although if you have school age children or live in an area with hot temperatures it may have felt like summer began quite a bit earlier. With the change of season comes a new list of tasks to get done around the house. Keep reading for a few project ideas you should consider adding to your to-do list this summer.

 

Check Safety Devices

One of the best ways to ensure that your home is keeping you safe is by regularly checking the devices that are designed to do just that. If you haven’t already, set up a monthly schedule for checking the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Ensure that fire extinguishers are not expired. If they are past their expiration date either schedule a maintenance appointment or replace them if they are not a maintenance abled type.

 

Prep Your House for Travel

If you’ve been waiting all year for summer vacation time to arrive then you’re in luck! But while you’re off enjoying your adventures and creating new memories elsewhere, make sure your home is ready to withstand your absence. Inspect all entrances to your home, including your windows and doors, to ensure that they are secure. Timed or motion sensor exterior lights can help give the illusion of an occupied home. Put mail and any other regular delivers on hold or have a trusted neighbor collect things as they arrive.

 

Check for Signs of Pests

Unplanned critters, whether they be bugs, rodents, or any other creature that doesn’t belong, can be an absolute nuisance. Plus, they could potentially cause considerable damage to your home or yard if not caught and addressed in a timely manner. Help to prevent their unexpected arrival by periodically checking your house for signs of them. For some pests, like termites, you may want to bring in professional and periodic help.

 

Clean Out/Organize the Pantry

The pantry tends to be one of those places that is either super organized or easily a source of clutter and mess. No matter the state of organization, take some time to go through the pantry, take stock of its contents, and get everything in order. Even if you’re not an organizing guru, a little extra time and attention in the pantry will pay itself back in making things easier to find and cutting down on wasted and forgotten food.

 

Inspect Irrigation Systems

The summer heat is here, which means your sprinkler system is likely hard at work. Keep a watchful eye throughout the summer to ensure your landscaping is getting the proper amount of water and that your watering systems are up to par. Another thing to watch for is proper water drainage. Standing puddles of water could quickly become mosquito breeding grounds while water pooling around the house could cause things like foundation damage.

 

Host a Party

What is summer without a little bit of kicking back and celebrating. With the longer days and pleasant weather, summer is the perfect time to invite a few (or a lot) of people over for some outdoor fun. Backyard barbecues and pool parties are a staple of summer, and are often more fun with a larger group. Keeping the party outside means you won’t have to worry as much about preparty clean up inside your house. You can take some of the pressure off by hosting a potluck or asking your guests to bring with outdoor themed activities or extra pool toys.

 

Freshen Up Bedrooms

Summer is a great time to give the bedrooms in your home some extra love. Aim to make the bedroom feel fresh and airy. Flip the mattresses to help prolong their life and break out the lighter weight bedding. Dust all surfaces and in those hard to reach or often forgotten areas, such as fan blades, baseboards, and lamps. When you’re done consider bringing in some fresh flowers or a new plant to complete the freshness feel.

 

Plan Smaller Interior Update Remodels

Use the summer to take careful stock of your home’s interiors and start making plans to update or change out some of the smaller things that you don’t like or have grown tired of. Small changes can often breathe a lot of new life into a home. Some less intensive projects could include things like repainting, swapping out cabinet hardware, or replacing smaller plumbing fixtures and appliances.

Five Things to Include in an Outdoor Kitchen

When it comes to adding an outdoor kitchen, regardless of how simple or complex the finished product is, there are a few overarching items that should be considered for inclusion. Take a look below at the five things we think should be included when designing an outdoor kitchen.

 

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Cooking Appliances

When creating an outdoor kitchen the most important element to include is a way to prepare food. An outdoor grill is the most popular choice for outdoor cooking appliances. But don’t be limited just by the more popular choices. Depending on the level of cooking skills you possess and the amount of outdoor entertaining you want to do there are plenty of other options that can be included, such as a smoker, pizza oven, or even a fire pit.

Dining Area

While including a dining area seems like common sense in a kitchen, it can easily be overlooked. Once food is made, you’ll want a place where you and your guests can sit and enjoy it. Again, the size of the dining area will greatly depend on how many people might be using it at a time. Bar seating across a countertop might be sufficient for your needs, or perhaps you’ll want enough space for a full dining table.

Countertop and Storage Space

Having ample storage and work space should be considered another important factor in designing an outdoor kitchen. Just was with trying to keep cleanup outdoors, minimizing the need to transition between inside and outside when using an outdoor kitchen will increase efficiency and help contain areas of activity and mess. Work with hardy materials that will stand up well to the elements, such as metal for the cabinets and a nonporous material for countertops.

 

 

Cleanup Station

Devoting space in an outdoor kitchen for the sole purpose of unglamorous task of cleaning up may not hold much appeal, but in the long run it will make things easier. Even something as simple as a sink will allow you a space to coral dirty dishes and at the very least spot clean items before bringing them back inside. Trying to meander back and forth between two kitchens at one time can be inconvenient and a hassle. If you plan on having a lot of dishes to clean up it may also be worth investing in an outdoor grade dishwasher to further make life easier.

Lighting

Natural light shouldn’t be too hard to come by in an outdoor kitchen, but natural light may not always provide the right quality of lighting or even an ample amount. Cooking in the dark when the sun goes down isn’t an ideal option. Adding in general lighting for the outdoor kitchen space will make the area useable regardless of the location of the sun. But even when the sun is shining, adding in lighting in specific areas will help improve the quality of your outdoor kitchen. Think about adding light around cooking areas so that you’ll be better able to see what you are doing.

 

Project Spotlight: Downtown Views and a New Kitchen in a Dallas High-Rise Condo

With almost every remodel project there is a unique set of challenges that must be overcome to reach the final beautiful finish. Some of these challenges might be small, others large, but it is often these challenges that create the most memorable moments in a project. The award winning balcony enclosure and kitchen remodel in this uptown Dallas high-rise condo unit presented a few very unique challenges of its own. And while some challenges are simple to solve, the challenges for this project were of the type that required the use of a construction lift to solve.

The first part of the project focused on the balcony and how to best utilize its space. Located on the sixth floor of the building, the condo offered a spectacular view of the downtown Dallas skyline. However, the small corner balcony, easily the best area in the condo to enjoy the stunning view, was not user friendly. It was small and felt enclosed due to its boxed in nature. The height amplified the effects of wind and the south facing orientation left it susceptible to glaring sunlight throughout the day, especially as it reflected off nearby buildings. Plus, the increase in nearby construction and its associated noise made the balcony a less than pleasant space for the homeowners to use.

 

With all these issues plaguing the balcony space, the homeowners decided that the best solution was to forgo the outdoor balcony entirely and instead enclose the space and incorporate it into the main living area of the unit. In doing so, however, the homeowners wanted to ensure that the additional space would seamlessly tie in with the existing space and that their view of the downtown skyline would not be lost. Located in the corner of the open floor plan living area, the newly enclosed space needed to feel like it was a natural part of the floor plan. One of the biggest challenges with doing this was the flooring. When the area was a balcony the floor needed to slope downward away from the building so that water could properly drain. Now enclosed, the floor had to be levelled before hardwood flooring that matched the existing white oak floors could be installed.

To maximize the downtown view, the homeowners wanted the new outer wall to be mostly made up of windows that were as large as possible. Further complicating matters, the outer wall of the balcony had a curved 90-degree angle that needed to be maintained due to the building’s structure. The solution was to install five large curved picture windows along the wall. But deciding on this option was only half the battle. The second, and even more difficult part, was figuring out a way to transport the windows up to the unit. Due to their size, the windows would not fit in even the building’s freight elevator. The only option was to transport them to the unit outside of the building. For that, we had to bring in a Skytrak construction lift. The windows were each carefully transported up to the unit from the street.

 

 

With the windows in place, the homeowners are allowed an almost entirely unobstructed view from the safety and comfort inside their condo. The wall of windows was finished with a short window seat book shelf that runs along the entire length of the wall in between the bottom of the windows and the floor. Electronically controlled shades allow the homeowners to easily block out the glaring sunlight during the worst parts of the day and easily enjoy their spectacular downtown view during others.

For their kitchen renovation, the owners partnered with the design team at Poggenpohl in Dallas to create a kitchen that fit with the contemporary design style that they favored. Due to their condo location, the owners were limited in making any major structural changes to the layout of the room. However, that did not prevent them from being able to completely gut the old kitchen and start fresh. Despite following the same footprint as the old kitchen, the remodeled kitchen is entirely new and includes many high end and modern fixtures.

 

The new kitchen features glossy white cabinets with light gray countertops. The old range was replaced with a stainless steel induction cooktop. The stainless steel vent hood and backsplash help give the kitchen an industrial vibe that complements the contemporary feel of the space. The sink faucet is motion and touch activated. The refrigerator and freezer have built in front panels to match the cabinets. Completing the kitchen is a small desk provides the owners with a nearby work station.