Updated Info on 2012 Kitchen Trends

Now that the International Builder Show is over, there's abundant information on design trends available. As I've been reading and researching, several kitchen trends are being noted. Let me share some.

Natural wood cabinetry has always been popular. We've showcased cherry wood cabinetry in our higher end homes like those in LochenHeath but,according to the NKBA(National Kitchen and Bath Association) last year, cherry as well as maple have declined in use. Oak used to be the "go to" staple and then lost favor. Apparently, kitchen designers are trending back a bit to oak- reasonable cost and availability is probably part of this trend. I'm not too surprised to read that walnut is being used 3x more than in the past. The clean grain and darker color work perfectly with the look of today's kitchen. Green products have continued to be strongly popular which is apparent with bamboo usage doubling in the past year. Birch is a great wood with a grain similar to maple but with a lower material cost- birch use has tripled in the past year. Grand Bay Building and Remodeling just recently finished remodeling the break room at the BATA Cass Road facility here in Traverse City and we used all birch cabinetry - a great value for the dollar.

If you've ever watched the HGTV design shows, you might recall their use of darker finishes. This trend has been noted by NKBA . Along with darker colors is the use of glass. This product really lends itself to a modern look and is being incorporated as kitchen backsplashes. Designers are noting that ceramic still holds the number One position followed by Natural Stone(which certainly would need to be sealed) and glass coming on strong as number Three. I've used glass for vanities but not yet for a backsplash. This use could really be stunning and I look forward to working with the idea.

When it comes to lighting, apparently designers are trending toward LED's (light emitting diodes) rather than CFL's. Use of CFL's(compact flourscent lights) dropped about 10% . I'm not surprised as the color of a CFL isn't always right - especially in a kitchen. I read a Housing Zone article which mentioned that a US ban on newly produced 100w Incandescent bulbs went into effect Jan 2012 - A ban for 75w is slated to begin Jan 2013 with a ban on 60w incandescent production beginning Jan 2014. This will certainly be affecting the lighting industry in next several years.www.housingzone.com/design/5-kitchen-design-trends-2012

Trends are always fun to watch and learn from. Now as Spring approaches, I look forward to a season of new and beautiful designs. Nancy www.grandbaybuilding.com

Take Care with CFLs - Where to Recycle them

CFL- Compact Flourescent Lights have become the new norm for light bulbs. I think most of us feel good about using them knowing that we are saving energy. Many light fixtures already include CFL bulbs in the box when you purchase them from the box stores. All good news for our electric budget.

Just the other day, I replaced a small flood light in the kitchen with a CFL floodlight. When I turned the light on I thought something was wrong with the new bulb. It barely gave any light and took quite awhile to warm up and begin to glow with full strength. Now I realize that CFL floods have not been perfected. Next time I'll be looking for an LED flood which won't have the delay -

Years ago, we were used to seeing workers throw the tube bulbs out without caring when they shattered into dumpsters. We've come a long way in that regard as well. Take care when disposing of old CFL bulbs. They do contain a very small amount of mercury.

If a bulb breaks- Clear the Room! People and pets should leave. Open a window/door for 5-10 minutes. Don't use a vacuum unless you absolutely have to-If you do, then immediately place the vacuum bag in a sealed plastic bag. The preferred disposal method is to use tape to pick up small pieces etc. Place glass and any powder residue into a sealed container which should be kept outside of the home for trash disposal.

Recycle your old CFL bulbs- I've noticed that Lowe's and Home Depot as well as our local Ace Hardware store here in Traverse City have recyling bins for used bulbs. If everyone took advantage of this recycle program it would make a difference in our environment. That's the "green" in me coming out- I just can't help myself.

Nancy with Grand Bay Building and Remodeling http://www.grandbaybuilding.com/

First Project Bath of 2012 Update

I promised a follow up photo of the finished bathroom which was Grand Bay Building and Remodeling's first project of 2012. This granite counter is a premium selection but it just so happened our customer located it as remnant . This is a great option for small counters like vanities. Note the taller 8" backsplash to accommodate the vessel sink.

There had been a laminate floor installed over concrete and to Victor's surprise, the toilet had never been secured! This resulted in leaking over the years which actually made it's way under the carpet at the bathroom. It felt good to take of this problem for the homeowner. That's the thing about remodeling, you just never know what you're going to find until you get into the project.

The other thing that we know is once we see a problem- we have to fix it and make it right for our customer! Nancy with Grand Bay Building and Remodeling