Neal's Home Remodeling and Design Blog

When remodeling a bathroom, ventilation is very important. Bathrooms are small spaces susceptible to mold due to humidity caused by using showers and tubs in a confined area. While it helps to have a window in a bathroom, windows don’t provide sufficient ventilation particularly in winter months. Ventilation fans help control this problem and also help remove odors. There are “fan lights” designed expressly for bathrooms that combine both ventilation and lighting. Fan lights are also “EnergyStar” rated.

Do you remember the pink tubs, toilets and sinks from the 1960s? Powder blue 4-inch walls tiles from the 1970s? White laminate cabinets from the 1980s? Sliding door shower enclosures from the 1990s? Bathroom design trends seem to change every ten years or so. There are always new products arriving on the market and new ideas about how to create comfort in this personal space. 

Kitchen design has two main components, layout and choice of products. We are always looking for design trends that add function and beauty to homes. We talk with manufacturers and distributors, meet with other leading remodelers from around the country, follow industry changes, and talk with homeowners in our search for the best design ideas and trends that will endure over time.

Laundry is one of the essential chores we all do and a well-designed laundry room is an asset in any home. Many of us have lived in homes where the washer and dryer were placed in a basement near a utility tub. Basements really were the perfect spot to hook up a washer and dryer because of the mechanicals – outlets, plumbing and gas lines – located there and the fact that if a hose leaked or water spilled it could be contained and easily cleaned up. Plus, the noise of the machines could be muffled and dirty clothes were out of sight.