site-logo-mob
CLOSE MENU

Bathrooms Without Tubs a Growing Trend

To take out the bathtub or not take out the bathtub – that is the question many homeowners are struggling with.  It seems the days of soaking in the bath have run their course, and people would rather have a bigger, more luxurious shower with body sprays, rainfall showerheads, and the like.  So what is the right answer to this dilemma?  Normandy Designer Karen Chanan says, “as long as there’s another bathtub in the home, taking out the bathtub in the master bath or whichever room you desire, is perfectly fine.  It’s truly about personal preference in this case.”

bathroom without shower

In fact, many homeowners are taking the money that they would spend on a new tub, and allocating more for higher-end materials for their shower such as porcelain or natural stone.  “Taking the bathtub out opens a few doors for homeowners, the first being that it’s going to make the bathroom as a whole look more spacious,” comments Karen, “Another pro is that the shower becomes a built-in focal point where you can incorporate tile mosaics, benches, niches and so much more useful, yet functional extras.

bathroom without showerSo many people tell me that the only time they use their bathtub is when they’re dusting it; it just makes sense to make your bathroom work for you and fit your needs.” If you’re a person who loves soaking in the tub and uses it quite often, then taking it out wouldn’t be a plausible option; although there are so many more styles and ways to incorporate a tub into the bathroom than there were 10 years ago, and it’s well worth looking into before your bathroom remodel begins.  As Karen said, it’s all about personal preference.  Once you’ve decided whether or not a bathtub is something you’d like to incorporate or take out, schedule an appointment with Karen to collaboratively figure out how to achieve an ideal bathroom that meets your needs, both in regards to function and style.

How to Pick a Kitchen Range Hood

Silver kitchen range hood against white slab backsplashWooden kitchen hood with a black and white tile backsplash The hood for your range can sometimes be a forgotten design element, when in fact, if the selection is done poorly can negatively affect the final look and functionality of your entire kitchen. Award-winning Normandy Designer, Kathryn O’Donovan, has put together a few tips on how to pick out a hood that is perfectly suited to your kitchen space and needs.

“Ventilation is one of the most underrated appliances in the kitchen and one of the most important,” said Kathryn. “There are code requirements based on your cooking appliance as well as having the correct circulation power to protect your new finishes longer.”

Kitchen hood designs have come a long way in the past 10 years. The manufacturers have redesigned hoods in many ways, not only to make them more efficient but also more flexible for the homeowner. These choices allow us to meet the increased function that homeowners need as well as an opportunity to express individual personality and style.

When picking out a hood, the first question to address is “What will your cooking surface be?” This choice will help narrow the hood options available. For example, a chimney hood would not work for a pro-range appliance because it would not have sufficient ventilation. There are various hood options on the market for a variety of applications. They include low profile, downdraft, chimney, professional and inline to name a few.

black kitchen with porcelain slab backsplashThe next questions to consider are the overall aesthetic of the kitchen, and the size and the scale of the room. A large hood would not fit well with a small kitchen because it would overpower the room and a small hood in a large kitchen would get lost in the overall layout. So, size and scale are important to the space.

Aesthetically, the hood should work with the design details of your new space. Cooking habits and personal preferences also play a huge role in determining the final look of the hood. There are a variety of options; stainless steel for easy cleanup, Venetian plaster for an Old World look, a matching finish to your cabinets, or opting for an alternate cabinet finish entirely.

“Adding a backsplash behind the range or intricate cabinet detailing can also contribute to the overall impact,” added Kathryn. “Combining all of these is what makes designing a kitchen so much fun.”

Selecting a hood for your kitchen is a great opportunity to flaunt your personality, and style and make a true design statement. If you are looking to remodel your kitchen or contemplating more extensive changes to your home, you can set up a time with Kathryn to talk about the possibilities. Check out the photo gallery or follow Normandy Remodeling on FacebookInstagram or Pinterest for even more home tips and inspiration.

Schedule an Appointment