IceStone - Beautiful Eco-Friendly Countertops

If you are among the growing number of consumers who hope to leave a smaller environmental imprint on the earth – but still want a beautiful home – consider a product called IceStone for your countertops.

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IceStone is a unique surface made from up to 75 percent recycled glass (or even seashells) and cement that creates a reflective surface while showing off flecks of the polished glass. It offers many of the same qualities of granite and quartz in 29 colors, from neutral to bold, at about the same price. You have a wide range of styles, suitable for the beach house or a Greenwich Village condo, and whatever variation you choose won’t affect the price because every type of IceStone costs the same.

IceStone proclaims itself as one of most environmentally and socially “sustainable” countertop products on the market. That’s one of the reasons I like it. The company was founded in 2003 and produces all of its product in a warehouse in the Brooklyn Navy Yards. It is committed to hiring workers from the diverse local neighborhoods with starting pay for new employees that is 35 percent above the local living wage. Employees own 10 percent of the company and are guaranteed 5 percent of the profits. Its countertops are often used in “green” buildings and they are made without petrochemicals or resins. IceStone says it has prevented 13 million pounds of glass from entering the waste stream, and all the glass it uses is recycled – how awesome is that?!

The cost of an IceStone installation averages about $150 a foot, so it is a high-end option and not the least expensive environmentally friendly option available, which causes some remodelers to drop it from their list.

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Because they contain cement, IceStone countertops must be sealed, usually once a year, just as a marble or 100 percent cement countertop would be. Because not everyone is diligent in their sealing practices, some installers recommend IceStone only for bathrooms, although I love it for bars and laundry rooms, too. Without a proper seal, acids or harsh cleaners will stain the surface, so homeowners who prefer as little maintenance as possible will select quartz, wood or granite instead.

Are you ready to talk about countertops? Contact me at Cassandra@pulosdesign.com.

Feeling Down? Try an Aroma-Candle!

We often hear that all we need to do to relax is to close our eyes and take a deep breath or two. That’s not a bad way to start, but for an easy way to relax all day long, light a candle.

Not just any candle will work, of course – some have too much fragrance and cause headaches. The best choice is one that smells great because it is infused with the right amount of essential oils derived naturally from plants.

The first step toward feeling great is putting yourself in the right frame of mind. Although candles won’t heal physical ailments, they can help lesson some symptoms. A relaxing scent is a quick and efficient way to feeling better physically and emotionally.

I make my candles with the finest essential oils supplied by Plant Guru, which uses only the purest ingredients. Choose one or more of your favorite scents – or experiment to find a new favorite – and create a relaxing, healthy environment that lasts all day.

Aromatherapy has been practiced in various forms since the days of early Egypt, when Cleopatra was known to incorporate essential oils into the fragrances she wore. In Europe, aromatherapy is practiced by licensed physicians. Although scientific studies have found no medical benefits from the application of aromatic oils, many people report improvements in mood when a favorite scent infuses the air.

That is what my candles from Everyday Crafting can do for you. Choose from the list of scents below and put in your order today.

Scents Offered:

• Tea Tree - boosts your immune system
• Lavender - improves sleep and encourages relaxation 
• Peppermint - enhances mood, sharpens focus, combats symptoms of congestion
• Sweet Orange - reduces stress and anxiety 
• Eucalyptus - helps fight migraines and fevers
• Patchouli - to help with fatigue and depression
• Bergamot - alleviates stress, anxiety, and depression
• Cinnamon Bark - to ease stress and help with exhaustion
• Clary Sage - improves mood 
• Lime - encourages energy
• Rosemary - enhances memory, focus, and brain performance
• Pink Grapefruit - uplifting scent to address anxiety
• Spearmint - revitalizes
• Lemon - enhances mood and eases headaches 

Get yours today at www.etsy.com/shop/everydaycrafting! 

E-cooking & E-cleaning are Coming - Say Hello to the Future!

If you were surprised with an Echo and Alexa voice assistant from Amazon over the holidays, you may be experimenting with all the information you can quickly gather from your new robotic secretary. It will play music for you, order groceries, look up homework answers on the Internet, along with many other things!

Amazon Echo

But hold on: You haven’t seen the coolest thing yet.

The first generation of connected kitchen appliances are now available, and they will do just about anything except crack the eggs and uncork a bottle of wine for you.

New ovens, for instance, will allow you to send commands from your phone while you are still at work to cook the roast so it is ready 30 minutes after you walk in the door. (But, of course, you still must prepare the roast and put it in the oven before you leave the house.)

Certain dishwashers and clothes washers will count the number of loads you do and automatically order soap supplies from Amazon when you are running low, thus eliminating the last-minute runs to the grocery store for the essentials you buy only irregularly. Plus, why go to a crowded store when Amazon delivers life necessities right to your door?!

Over the past few years, some refrigerators have helped you update the grocery list but they require you to manually update a database every time you empty a bottle of milk or remove a carrot from the vegetable bin.

That is so yesterday.

Samsung Family Hub Refrigerator

New refrigerators have built-in cameras that you can access on your phone while strolling the grocery aisles. Instead of keeping a running list, just take a peek at your refrigerator’s shelves as you shop and make your buying decisions based on what

you see.

To save on energy costs, some models feature software that determines when demand is highest on the energy grid. It will schedule your refrigerator to defrost and the oven to clean itself only during low-use periods when the power company charges lower rates.

If you are refurbishing an existing kitchen or designing one for a new home, it’s worth checking out the features of these connected appliances to determine whether they fit your needs. Of course, they all cost a few hundred dollars more than equipment that just refrigerates and cooks the old-fashioned way, but, think of the money that could be saved with all the handy features that are offered!

Whatever you choose, though, rest assured that you will continue to have the pleasure of using your own hands to prepare a meal – and drink a glass of wine – for at least a few more years.

I will help you research the appliances that best fit your needs and lifestyle. Contact me at Cassandra@Pulosdesigns.com

Hall Bath Trends From 2016

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A hall bathroom (a bathroom with a tub/shower combo) is often thought of as the “kids bath” – aka let’s go cheap. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be interesting and functional, too. Design elements from classic to trending will help you make the most out of your hall bath space.

Here are some of the ideas I've been working into my designs:

Keep the water where it’s supposed to be.

A glass enclosure and frameless door looks modern and it elongates the visual elements of the room while doing the job of keeping water out of the rest of the space. The glass also allows you to show off the beautiful tile you have chosen to decorate your shower with.

Almost all hall baths have room for two sinks, which is helpful for providing space for a combination of tooth brushing, make-up application or mustache trimming. The extra expense is worth it in the long run.

My Own Project!

Tile, tile everywhere.

You might want to decorate your shower with striking accent tile, and if you choose subway tile for the shower or bath surround, consider both the classic 3-by-6 tile or the newer 4-by-16-inch size that offers a bolder look.

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The floor is part of the design, too.

Larger tile sizes are also trending for floor treatments. They are modern and come in shades that add sophistication to a room that is often overlooked but can be fun for kids and guests.

Give yourself space.

We all look for storage wherever we can find it, and a bathroom – even a small one – often can be designed with space to store linens and other items. I will help you find that space in nooks or corners others might overlook.

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We didn’t forget the toilet!

Especially in new construction, I consider the toilet second only to the shower and tub in importance to a bathroom’s functionality and level of comfort. That’s why I recommend a comfort height toilet – which is a couple of inches higher than a regular toilet. They are easier to use for older or disabled people, and simply more comfortable for everyone else except the youngest children, who might need a toilet stool.

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Why we need to design the bathroom. 

While we may daydream about our kitchen, and make it the focal point of parties and family gatherings, we usually think of the bathroom only when we are in it

Mistake!

A little forethought and planning will make everyone’s occasional visits there comfortable and relaxing.

Cabinet Door Style is as Important as Cabinet Color

Every kitchen design includes hundreds of decisions -- and you have to make every one of them.

It’s less stressful when you plan ahead and start considering your options before the sledgehammer hits the tile.

One element homeowners tend to overlook until the last minute are the doors on your cabinets. They might seem mundane, but when you really take a look at cabinet doors, you begin to understand how much time they require.

Because kitchens are mostly cabinets, and cabinet doors are the most visible parts of your cabinets, they become a major focus of any kitchen design.

There are three main styles:

Flat Panel
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1.  The traditional look of raised panel doors, which can run from sedate to ornate.
2. The clean design of flat panels of transitional design.
3. And modern/contemporary slab doors. 

In other words, if you are into a Tuscany theme, go with traditional. If you dream of entertaining in Denmark, slab doors will be your choice.

Raised Panel
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As with every other aspect of your kitchen design (unless you’ve already fallen for a style that you just can’t live without) the next decisions involve budget, style, and color and finish.

The price depends on the material the doors are made of as well as the style; elaborate and labor-intensive designs cost more. Raised panel and slab doors are more complicated to build, so the expense will add up more quickly, although raised panels are more pricey than slab doors. If you choose mahogany instead of hickory, expect a lot of dollar signs.

Flat panels will fit into nearly any style of kitchen and budget as they can be dressed up for the most elaborate designs by choosing high-end materials or dressed down for more simple designs by choosing a paint finish. 

Slab Panel
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And each of these styles can be further modified with cabinet hardware or the addition of glass or other materials.

Even after you choose a door style, your job is not yet done: You need to decide on color, finish and cost.

Examine the range of paints and stains, and also consider whether you want a distressed or antique look, which might work best in a rustic traditional or country kitchen.

No matter what you decide, there is one thing you can do in any kitchen, even before you remodel: Brew a cup of tea and relax as you imagine the beautiful look you will enjoy for the next several years.

Planning a Kitchen Remodel? 6 Common Styles

When thinking about talking on a kitchen remodel, almost everyone starts by looking through magazines and websites, and asking friends for ideas

And then you soon feel overwhelmed.

 

Reclaim your personal vision by considering a space that fits your personality and tastes.

You might have a table or chairs passed down through generations – or that you spotted last week on the showroom floor -- which you want to build around. Maybe you have a favorite color or accent material, like oak or steel. Perhaps you’ve seen elements in different kitchens that you like and would consider in your house – everything from rough wood floors to glass countertops and mahogany cabinets.

At Pulos Design, we will talk through your ideas and concepts together and come up with a design that fits you and your family.

To get started, here are some of the most-sought-after styles being discussed today. Let’s begin with the most common:

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Traditional

Traditional design is visually lush with lots of details collected from varied collections. This style borrows from the 18^th, 19^th and early 20^th centuries, and showcases English and French heritage. Dark wood cabinets at varying heights, with crown molding, distinguish a traditional kitchen that is often decorated with antiques. Travertine backsplashes are common as an accent to this familiar yet rich look.

Transitional

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This is a more relaxed traditional style, reflecting transitions of two kinds. First it represents a fusion of traditional and contemporary looks. Second, a transitional design opens up the kitchen to other parts of the house, and even the garden, encouraging free movement throughout the entertaining area. A transitional kitchen might have a formal island or cabinets, with light colors on the walls, colorful lighting and bamboo floors. It’s a comfortable, eclectic look into which you can fit your family heirlooms.

Contemporary

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This is a combination of traditional and modern styles, but it varies from “Modern” design by being more up-to-date. While a contempory kitchen is sleek and uncluttered, often with metal frames and straight legs, the whole look is rooted in today. Bold artwork (by new artists) goes well on the walls of a contemporary kitchen. Natural materials are sublimated to manufactured elements of stainless, glass or concrete. German and Scandinavian influences mark these kitchens and the elements seen in contemporary designs constantly change with the times.

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Country

Most of us can picture the comfortable country kitchen: An oak table with a basket full of fruit decorating it, chairs upholstered with floral or checked fabrics, handmade pottery and painted cabinets that could be white or brightly colored. Window treatments of chintz, bead board paneling, wide-plank floors and sometimes wall paper complete the farmhouse look.

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Modern

This is a specific architectural movement that developed from the 1920s to the 1950s. If you like a sleek, uncluttered look with a hint of a retro feel, Modern might work for you. Mixing a pop of color with a neutral palette and geometric shapes define a modern kitchen and polished surfaces fit well with this style. High-end appliances, hidden cabinet hardware and clever design elements that hide cooking utensils and other accoutrements stored on the countertops of other kitchens add to the construction cost.

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Industrial

This also is the most bare-bones style, with utilitarian elements that are normally hidden – heating and cooling ductwork, or drainpipes for example -- incorporated with open cabinets and sleek appliances to create a factory, or industrial, feel.

Chef’s stoves and ovens fit comfortably into an industrial kitchen along with flea market finds as accents.

Are you ready to talk about your kitchen design ideas? Email me at cassandra@pulosdesigns.com!