Bay Area Home Remodeling Including Bathroom and Kitchen Remodeling in Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Palo Alto ...

Your bathroom is a wet environment, where moisture is constantly pumped into the air. This is made evident by the condensation covering mirrors and windows after someone takes a shower. Less obvious is the additional moisture infused every time a toilet is flushed or a faucet is turned on. If this moisture is not completely removed from the air, it can result in mold and mildew growth on bathroom walls and ceiling. Your bathroom may have an unpleasant, musty smell, even though you use air fresheners. This can be a signal that your bathroom is not properly ventilated.

One of the best ways to ventilate your bathroom is to install a high quality fan. The Home Ventilation Institute (HVI) provides helpful suggestions for choosing the right fan for your particular bathroom. HVI guidelines take into account 1) the square footage of your bathroom, 2) the number of moisture-producing fixtures in the room, and 3) the cubic foot per minute (cfm) airflow rating of the fan. A large bathroom may require more than one fan-perhaps one next to the shower and one in the toilet area. You could also consider a fan system that utilizes a remote-mount motor that connects to multiple ceiling grills installed throughout your bathroom.

If you hesitate to install a noisy fan, then pay attention to the fan’s sone rating. This is the measurement of the way the human ear senses the loudness of the fan. An inexpensive fan may have a sone rating of 4, which is similar to human speech. A high-quality fan with a sone rating of 1.0 or less is barely audible. Of course, the sound of a remote-mount motor will be muffled by the distance.

To ensure that excess moisture is removed from your bathroom, let the fan run at least 20 minutes after you finish using the room. If you are concerned that you will forget to turn the fan off, one easy solution is to install a timer. Another option is to purchase a humidity-sensing fan that switches on whenever it detects an increase in humidity, and then turns off again automatically. There are also multi-speed models that operate continuously at lower cfm levels to provide whole-house ventilation, but when a motion detector senses someone entering the room, the fan switches to higher cfm levels. The benefit of a whole-house ventilation system is that it works constantly to remove contaminants-such as dust, pet dander and various chemicals-that may be lodged inside your home.

You can select from a wide variety of fan styles to fit your taste and bathroom décor. Some fans have heating features, while others include supplemental lighting. There are fan/lights that also function as decorative light fixtures, featuring glass globes and a variety of finishes. Other fan/lights look just like standard recessed light fixtures. When choosing your fan, look for a model that is Energy Star qualified, which means it excels at energy savings, quiet operation and level of performance.

Universal Design (UD) is an architectural movement that seeks to create living environments that function well for everyone, regardless of age or ability. In Europe it is called “Design for All”. A growing trend in this country is to use the term “Better Living Design” so people do not confuse UD with accessible design.

UD accommodates a broader spectrum of people than accessible design, which follows guidelines set by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is specifically for those who are aging or those with a physical disability. The purpose of UD is to benefit a wide population that may include the elderly along with small children, pregnant women, parents with baby strollers, and homeowners carrying shopping bags into their homes. UD is particularly on target to meet the needs of the rising number of multi-generational households in the United States.
The wonderful appeal of UD includes the fact that it is transparent: accommodations are felt rather than seen. Homes designed according to UD principles feel pleasant and inviting, rather than cold and institutional.

When your home is designed using UD principles it provides a beautiful, safe, convenient, and easy-to-use environment for you and your family, as well as for anyone else who comes to visit.
Here are twenty examples of Universal Design principles that you can utilize in your next kitchen remodeling project. Most people will not realize anything is different from the norm; nevertheless, your kitchen will be comfortable for a more diverse range of people.

1. Materials that are non-allergenic and free of VOCs
2. 5′ diameter open space for maneuverability
3. Non-slip flooring that is water resistant and easy to maintain
4. No throw rugs or mats, unless recessed into the floor
5. Rocker-style light switches and lever-style door handles
6. Three layers of light: task, ambient and accent; light for way-finding
7. Natural light from windows, skylights or solar tubes
8. Medium to light colored, non-glare surfaces
9. Full extension pull-out drawers in base cabinets, rather than shelves
10. Higher toe-kick on base cabinets
11. Upper cabinets installed 15″ above the countertop, instead of the standard 18″
12. Glass doors in wall cabinets for good visibility of the contents
13. Easy-to-grasp cabinet door handles
14. Raised dishwasher with adjacent landing space
15. Knee space under the cook-top and sink
16. Multiple-height countertops
17. Single lever, high arc faucets with pull-out or pull-down sprays; hands-free technology
18. Whole-house anti-scald valve set at 120 degrees
19. Induction cook-top for safety and energy savings
20. Interior cabinet lighting should be a cool temperature (LED) to protect contents

In anticipation of holiday visitors and guests, have fun sprucing up your home to make their visit more enjoyable with things that you’ll enjoy throughout the year. Whether you have a dedicated guest room or need to convert an office into a bedroom for holiday guests, here are a few ideas to get you started.

Begin with your home’s exterior

Refresh Your Entry
Your home’s entrance makes an important first impression. Refresh your entry with a new coat of paint on the front door. And if the trim is starting to look weathered, scrape and repaint those areas as well.

Deck Out Your Planters
While you have the paint can open, paint planters and window boxes in the same color as your trim or door. Then, add some seasonal color by filling the window boxes with annuals such as Cyclamen, primroses, stock and decorative kale.
Another idea is to use real or artificial holly, pomegranates, birch sticks and greenery to create a holiday planters. Top them off with a string of tiny white lights to brighten the front entrance.

Clear the Clutter and Light the Way
Remove any clutter from your front entrance and pick-up leaves and other debris by the front door. Test bulbs in your exterior light fixtures to ensure they safely illuminate pathways and steps. Add a new doormat that extends a warm welcome to your visitors.

Then move into the interior

Add comfort
Wondering how you are going to turn your home office into a B&B for your house guests? Consider a versatile Wall Bed/Murphy Bed. Wall beds open to a normal resting height and accommodate any standard mattress. They are space savers, safe and easy opening and no comfort is lost ! For more ideas and wall bed options, check out our trusted friends at Valet Custom Cabinets and Closets.

And that Special Touch
You can always count on Martha Stewart for ideas to make people feel welcome and to ensure that their time spent with you is memorable.

An easy example she gives is to keep sets of guest towels together, bound with twill tape or ribbon. When visitors arrive, just transfer a stack from linen closet to guest bedroom.

Click here for a checklist that will help you impress your guest.

You may need a home office for keeping up with family finances, or for telecommuting, or for a small business with regular clients. Whichever it may be, we recommend these three essentials for creating a perfect home office.

1. Allow for Privacy
In years past, a home office often consisted of a desk tucked into a corner of the kitchen. The intention was to help a busy homeowner multi-task: prepare meals, watch kids, and pay bills all at the same time. This concept is no longer so popular, since the kitchen has increasingly become the place in the home where everyone congregates. Homeowners need a quieter location to concentrate on family business without constant interruptions and distractions. Today the home office is usually located in a separate room adjacent to the kitchen. Keeping the office door open provides a sight-line to the kids, but closing the door allows privacy when necessary. If this arrangement is not feasible in your home, another option is to install tall bookcases in the kitchen (or family room) to divide the office area from the rest of room.

2. Include Daylighting
Home offices are sometimes set up quickly with little forethought. They are squeezed into whatever space is easily available, such as a large hall closet or under a staircase. If ample lighting is not provided, these spaces can be disappointingly dark and gloomy. Ideally, a home office should have windows or skylights that allow natural daylight into the area. Some of the benefits of natural daylight include helping energize your body and uplift your mood by increasing serotonin levels. It can also help your immune system by boosting the body’s production of Vitamin D. Plentiful general and task lighting should be installed in addition, utilizing daylight-replicating light sources. It is important, however, to avoid creating a glare on your computer screen from the overhead lights.

3. Select the Right Furnishings & Equipment
Homeowners will often purchase a standard office desk, filing cabinet and bookcase when they outfit a home office. As time goes by, they may discover that this arrangement does not function well for their particular business needs. It is best to plan ahead: make a list of all your various business activities, and start thinking outside the box. Do you need a large, flat surface on which to work? Perhaps a table would suit your needs better than a desk. Would a number of small cubbies serve your purposes better than open bookshelves? Consider ergonomics as you are selecting your office furnishings and deciding where to store equipment and supplies. Heavier items that you may need to lift should be located at waist height to avoid back strain. Invest in the fastest, most reliable office equipment you can afford, from your cell phone to your printer. This will pay you back with time dividends in the final analysis.

By Shane Hammond
CEO, Ideal Sound

Wireless communication is the transfer of information between two or more points that are not connected by an electrical conductor. With most technologies going the wireless route, people sometimes forget that wiring makes a wireless system possible. Here are a few tips on how to plan for a solid and complete wired and wireless system for your home.

Pre-Wiring
Pre-wiring is the installation of “structured wiring” inside your home’s walls and floors that passes low-voltage electronic signals to devices such as TVs, audio systems, and security/home monitoring systems. Until recently, each of these device types required their own specific kinds of wire, like coaxial cables, HDMI cables, and twisted pair copper for telephones. While some applications still do require specific wiring, the latest structured wiring solutions are capable of running many of these signal types over Ethernet – a digital cable technology that’s fast, easy, and economical to install – especially if you are building a new home or remodeling.

It makes the most financial and technical sense to pre-wire your home when the walls are open. The specific types of cable to use will depend on the home systems you want to include and their locations. As a general rule, plan for more than you think you’ll need. The best pre-wiring plans will leave plenty of flexibility to make changes or additions in the future.

Why Not Use Only Wireless Technology?
At the present time, wireless signal transmission is not as robust or reliable as hard-wired connections. In the case of data-intensive signals like HDTV, most wireless systems are barely up to the task, even in a small space. In larger homes, they will disappoint – especially if your home has plaster walls, stone interior facades, or other common residential obstructions. If you are committed to whole-house technology, it makes sense to install the structured wiring to assure the best results.

Performance Issues People often wonder why they don’t get the internet speeds they were promised by the provider, why their TV cuts in and out, or why their modem needs to be reset so often. What they may not realize is that their system relies on multiple parts all working together to deliver the signals. The system will only be as strong as that weakest link. If one part of the system isn’t working correctly; it can impact the performance of the whole system.

Having a wiring system that has been installed and tested from the point service is key; one mis-wire can affect the performance of all components. Additionally, a good firewall, installed as a separate unit, will be the commander and chief of your network. And, make sure that you install surge protectors that recognize when your modem needs to be reset that turn the modem off… and then on again.

Ideal Sound
If you need help in designing a system for your home, it’s wise to use the services of an A/V integrator that specializes in residential technology. Ideal Sound specializes in the design, layout, and installation of home technology systems including lifestyle home theater, home automation, structured and network wiring, and hearing-impaired assistance technology. Professional and experienced, the Ideal Sound staff focuses on meeting the needs of each individual customer. Contact Ideal Sound via email, website, or the phone number below:

Ideal Sound 330 S. 3rd Street, Suite D
San Jose, CA 95112
info@ideal-sound.com
Website: www.ideal-sound.com
Phone: 408-400-7339

Several years ago, Hammerschmidt Construction remodeled the Powell Art Gallery room at Sequoia High School in Redwood City. This year, art teacher, Mozy da Costa Pinto called with what seemed an unusual request “Do you have any idea where I could find a number of used doors for an art project?” And, being the Certified Green Remodeling Company that we are, we happened to have many.

Rather than dump used windows and doors in landfills, we store them in our warehouse and either donate them to our church youth group’s, Mission to Mexico project, which builds homes each summer for needy families or we find new homes for them on Craigslist.
Da Costa Pinto wanted to provide each senior art student with a door to paint, symbolizing their impending rite-of-passage, from high school to the next step in their journey.

A few of the completed projects are pictured above. Check out more of the creative doors here.

Homeowners have very individual tastes and preferences when it comes to describing their favorite bathroom environment. It is important to realize that if you desire a relaxing, spa-inspired master bathroom in your home, there is no one standard look and feel for that room. The most important requirement is that it be a place where your personal comfort and enjoyment is a priority.
The gorgeous master bathrooms pictured here run the style gamut from Asian/Contemporary, to Transitional, to European/Modern. What ties these three bathrooms together, however, is the attention given to the 10 spa-inspired details below:

1. Calming hues that harmonize with each other and are flattering to your natural skin tones. Surrounding yourself with favorable colors can enhance your mood.

2. Elegant natural materials that are also eco-friendly—promotes pure pleasure. Experiencing the natural beauty of wood, bamboo, glass, stone and metal is even more satisfying when you know your selections are sustainable.

3. Straighter, less complicated cabinet exteriors, with highly-functional interior organizational systems to optimize storage. An uncluttered environment helps refresh and rejuvenate your mind.

4. Dual sinks, cabinets and closets that provide room for more than one person to use the master bathroom. If you share the room with someone else, having your own personal space will increase your feeling of tranquility.

5. Plenty of natural and artificial light for safety and a sense of well-being. Light plays an important role in helping you avoid accidents; plus, the amount of time you are exposed to light can affect your emotions.

6. Commodious zero-threshold shower and deep soaking tub—for all eventualities. Sometimes relaxation means a lengthy soak; sometimes it means hydro massage body sprays and rain showerhead in the shower.

7. Underfloor radiant heating and heated towel racks that ward off the shivers. Staying toasty warm as you exit the tub or shower prolongs your enjoyment.

8. WaterSense labeled plumbing fixtures, ENERGY STAR qualified appliances, and LED light fixtures that reduce water and energy usage. It feels great knowing you chose wisely and saved money, all the while helping protect the environment.

9. Easily adjustable pre-set temperature controls for shower, bath and underfloor heating that removes all the guess-work. When you are tired, how nice not to have to think—just enjoy.

10. Audio/visual enhancements. Waterproof audio devices can be installed into your shower- head or tub, allowing you to play music through a blue-tooth enabled device, like an iPod or smartphone. A waterproof flat screen TV can be placed in your shower or on the wall next to your tub. You will not have to miss your favorite podcast while you are relaxing in the shower!

If you’re wondering how to incorporate dog-friendly features in your home, look no further. John received the title, Certified Dog Designer, from a client when he was asked to design a number of dog-friendly features into their whole house remodel. The home’s dog room (laundry/ mudroom) incorporated a dog washing station, a place for dog crates under the counter, and specific storage areas for food, leashes, and dog care items along with the requisite dog door.

Large slate tiles were installed on the floor in the dog room and main living areas. The beautiful natural stone is able to disguise dog tracks and it can be easily cleaned with a damp mop.

Playful dog paw tiles were installed on the floor leading to the dog door and custom “portrait” accent tiles were integrated into the backsplash – one for each of their current dogs and other special dogs in their lives. Having completed multiple remodels with custom pet-friendly features, John is well-versed in designing a home that accommodates the needs of the whole menagerie.

If you decide to transform your kitchen by opening it up, one of the challenges you will face is where to store the wide variety of items a homeowner typically wants or needs in the kitchen. When several walls come down, it means that some of the locations where your cabinets were installed earlier are no longer available. With less wall space for cabinets, you must get more creative with storage, using every inch of space as efficiently as possible.

One of the most popular storage solutions for open kitchens is to build a large island with drawers underneath the countertop. Unlike cabinets with doors and shelves, full-extension drawers make it easy to see and reach items, even if they are stored in the back of the drawer. These drawers can be deep enough to hold large bowls and baking pans, or shallow enough for utensils. Today’s drawer organization systems can help you store much more in a new drawer than you were able to store previously in a drawer of the same dimensions. There are options like pegboard systems and drawer dividers that can compartmentalize the space to fit your specific items. Drawers may be fitted with soft and self-closing mechanisms, so that opening and closing a drawer is effortless. Find whatever you need inside the drawer, even at night, by including in-drawer LED lighting that activates by motion sensor when the drawer is opened. Design a storage cabinet on wheels that slides under the island countertop when not needed, but can provide an additional flat surface for food prep when rolled out into the room.

Another answer to the open kitchen storage quandary is to optimize the functionality of all wall cabinets. Consider using frameless cabinets, since these give you freer access to the contents of the cabinet. Lift-up or sliding cabinet doors, along with those that retract into the sides of the cabinet, are convenient since the cabinet can stay open and accessible for meal preparation, without disturbing the workspace. Try to conquer the dead space that often goes to waste in the corners of the kitchen. Currently, in addition to the traditional lazy susan, there are an amazing number of pull-out and swing-out solutions to a “blind corner.” Take time to decide which system will best fit your needs. If you choose to take your cabinets to the ceiling in order to maximize wall storage space, consider adding pull-down shelving systems inside the highest cabinets to make your items accessible without a step-stool. Narrow shelves or wire racks installed in the backsplash area provide easy-to-reach storage, along with an opportunity to bring a bit of color and excitement to that space.

* Photo : Formaldehyde-free cabinetry, cork flooring, low-VOC paints and a locally-made backsplash with recycled content.
(Photo by Michele Lee Willson)

Kirsten A. Flynn
Sustainable Home

It is an exciting time to work in residential interior design. Technology has made many parts of the process so much easier.

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