All Tiled Up was begun by an artist whose lifelong fascination with color and design led her to creating the hand-painted tile company. They have been around for about 30 years, and from what can be seen by the pictures in their gallery, their style is mostly utilized in kitchens and especially the backsplash. Their trademark seems to be creating a kind of painting on kitchen tiles behind the oven or sink. These paintings can evoke a French country kitchen ethos, or can represent different herbs or flowers. So, would this company and this kind of design be right for your kitchen? Let’s take a closer look.

An Overview

Based on the website, it can be plainly seen that their workmanship is excellent and they create works of art in the kitchen. If you are into the French kitchen design aesthetic, this is right up your alley. The paintings of herbs and border designs are all reminiscent of a gorgeous, feminine kitchen in a place like France or Italy. Their paintings look very detailed, and let’s be honest—who wouldn’t want the honor of getting hand painted tiles for your kitchen?

But Would it Work for You?

While the paintings are very beautiful, it would be completely wrong for someone with a modernist or utilitarian bent. If your style doesn’t match theirs, this is a no go. In a sense, they have created a niche, and do it well. But it is one tiny niche in kitchen design, so potentially wouldn’t work for many people with other ideas of the kind of kitchen they would prefer. In a way, they are a one trick pony. Don’t get me wrong, they do what they do quite well. Even so, this kind of design does not work for everyone, so think long and hard before committing to their aesthetic.

Alape is a company represented worldwide that has been made famous by the humble but clean lines of its popular bucket sink. One could go all over Europe and see this sink at different locales, including hotels, restaurants and public spaces of all kinds. They pride themselves on their purist vision and the simplicity of their designs, and focus on melding the human’s aesthetic with the physical object he chooses, which indicates the unmistakable uniqueness of the individual. So how does this company stack up to others? Let’s take a closer look at their product and vision.

Is Alape for You? A Look at their Fixtures

Alape has quite an impressive pedigree, and it can’t be said that all companies have had such an impact on how we view bathrooms. They’ve been in business since 1896 and invented the first built-in sink basin as well as the first cabinet-kitchen basin combination. A certain amount of respect should be given inherently to this company that helped shape how we view bathrooms.

They work with internationally known designers to help define their image and style. Their fixtures are highly modern and simple but elegant and striking. They seek to contribute to the style of the customer’s bathroom without taking the thunder away from the architecture of the room.

The company has excellent, high quality sinks and bathroom fixtures, but appeal stylistically to the European aesthetic. American tastes can vary somewhat, which could be seen as potentially a downside for the eclectic tastes of those stateside. Also, if you are not into the modernist designs of their sinks and like bathrooms that are more rustic, then you would have to pass this company. Alape is an excellent choice should your vision of a bathroom align with theirs and you have the funds to invest in the very best in bathroom sinks and fixtures.

Agora Tile is one of the leading manufacturers and importers of natural stone products, including onyx tile, marble sinks, granite countertops, and mosaic tile. They offer several options for color, type of stone and design and have high quality products. Their home base is Los Angeles, and their website boasts a relatively impressive array of slabs, stone, terrazzo, and porcelain. They have stores in 14 states in the western United States, and value high quality raw materials that they get from all over the world. Let’s look closely at the product and see how they match up to other leading competitors.

Agora: The Product

Based on their website, it seems that they have a relatively okay variety of tile for a small to medium stone manufacturer. It seems that what they do carry is high quality, but there are not a plethora of choices. They have field mosaics, specialty mosaics, and geometric relief, but the ones available all look somewhat similar and do not reflect a company with varied and eclectic tastes. This can be expected to some degree, considering this company is not nationwide. However, considering how many states they are in, it would seem that more variety in their products would be expected. Even so, it can be guaranteed that their product is high quality considering they are a relatively small business that focuses on the best result possible.

If they choose to expand, one would expect that their variety would increase. All in all, you’re getting high quality products from Agora, so it is safe to say that choosing them for your kitchen tile is a good choice. They are more expensive than nationwide brands, but the quality perfectly reflects this. However, if you are looking for a particular style that they don’t have, you may be out of luck. If they do carry a design you love, then go for it.

Abstract Design tiles evoke a modernist aesthetic that suits many newer homes and even older ones that need a sprucing up. They can be incorporated into a particular theme that you would like in your bathroom or kitchen with all the colors, styles and textures that the heart could desire. With all the options available for tiles, where do you begin? The following will give you some examples of the kinds of abstract tile available that can really add pop and sparkle to your kitchen or bathroom.

Examples of Abstract Designs

Examples of abstract designs used for tiles are floral motifs, geometric shapes and themes that remind you of the asymmetrical beauty of things in nature. Some have flowers embossed on them, while others have uneven line patterns. You can find tiles that have drawings by artists on their surfaces or imitate the skins of wild and untamed animals. Paisley designs and futuristic patterning are all popular, and some even have the feel of a watercolor painting. Their textures can make you feel like you are looking at lace or leather instead of a ceramic tile—some even look like spun gold or metal. With all of these options, the key is finding what in particular to do with abstract tile so that it truly shines.

Ways to Incorporate Abstract Tiles

Tiles inspired by nature often do well in bathroom designs with many windows looking out onto a garden. They also work well in farmhouses or homes of similar style. Futuristic patterning does well in kitchens and bathrooms that have that trend present in their fixtures, while paisley designs work well in feminine-inspired rooms. Which tile would work best for your bathroom or kitchen? Be creative, but don’t forget to honor the already existing fixtures and furniture by pairing them with a tile that reflects that particular aesthetic.

One of the first questions that people ask if they are considering a bathroom remodel is how much it will cost. The problem with that question is that there are many different answers that can be given. The bathroom remodel costs will vary depending on how big a remodel a homeowner wants and how high end a remodel they want. It is often best to break down the costs into two different categories. The first one is a total bathroom remodel and the other is a small remodel that has a big impact.

The Total Bathroom Remodel

A total bathroom renovation means tearing the bathroom down to the studs. It can include moving the plumbing around and making the bathroom bigger. A full remodel involves the cost of all of the bathroom fixtures, tiles, flooring and other pieces that will be needed for a new bathroom. The average cost of all of the materials for a bathroom remodel is around $10,000 to $13,000. It is possible to find lower cost materials and it is also possible to spend a considerable amount more on the different materials for a bathroom. It depends on the wants and the budget of the homeowner. Not included in the cost of the materials is the cost of demolition and construction. This can add $5,000 or more onto the total cost of the remodel.

The Budget Remodel

It is very possible to change the look of a bathroom for a much lower cost. Changing low cost items such as shower curtains, floor mats, towels and other bathroom accessories can have a big impact for less than $100. Changing the flooring or painting the tiles are other low cost changes that can be made. A good bathroom design can come up with ways to make bathroom remodel costs affordable. If you want to find out more about how much it costs to remodel a bathroom, feel free to contact us.

Technology is being used more and more in the home. From automated thermostats to lighting that can be controlled from your smartphone, the use of technology to make the home more comfortable is only going to grow in the future. Some may wonder if there is someplace that the use of technology will end. If they think the bathroom design is a safe haven from technology, they are probably wrong. There are many ways that a bathroom can become a smart bathroom.

How Can It Be Used for a Bathroom Mirror?

One of the key parts of every bathroom is the mirror. It is the thing that people rely on to see what they look like or to make sure they are shaving or putting on makeup properly. The bathroom mirror cabinet does even more. The cabinet is used to hold medicines and other supplies that are needed. It is a convenient place to keep the supplies that will be used at the vanity. But the question is if it is a place where technology can help. The answer is yes.

Technology has improved the lighting around the bathroom mirror. It allows the lights to come on automatically and to adjust the illumination levels. Technology has also made it possible to avoid fogging up the mirrors as the hot water from the shower is running. Technology already plays a role in the bathroom mirror, but what could it hold in the future.

Looking to the Future

In the future, it is possible that the bathroom mirror cabinets can keep track of what is inside them. They can remind the homeowner when it is time to refill a prescription or to replenish the stock of the cabinet. It could let a person know how to do their makeup or give other suggestions. The possibilities are really only limited by what people can think of. If you would like to know more about what is available, feel free to give us a call.

There are plenty of people that will argue about what the most important piece of furniture in the bathroom is. They will make claims about how the bathroom toilet or the shower is the thing that is used the most, but they may want to rethink this. While those pieces of furniture are important, the bathroom vanity possible plays a much more important role in today’s bathroom. It might be why bathroom vanities come in so many different styles.

Choosing the Right Vanity

It takes time and effort to find the right vanity for a bathroom. There are many different things to take into consideration.

• The size – Bathroom vanities can be very small or they can be very large. The right size will depend on how much room there is in the bathroom and what the needs of the homeowner are. Many people want a vanity that provides them with enough workspace and storage space.
• The style – Vanities come in many different styles ranging from modern to classic. The style that is best for a bathroom depends on the tastes of the homeowner.
• The function – The way a vanity is used in a master bathroom will differ from how it is used in a guest bathroom. Some vanities may include a bathroom medicine cabinet for extra functionality.

Matching all of the Parts of the Vanity

While time has to be spent choosing the right bathroom vanities for a home, there are other parts of the vanity that should also be considered. The vanity top, the bathroom taps, the hardware on the vanity all make a difference in the way the vanity will look. All of these things need to be taken into consideration when creating the perfect vanity for a bathroom. When everything comes together a homeowner is able to change the way a bathroom looks without breaking the budget. For more ideas about how to get the best vanity for your bathroom, contact us.

The bedroom may be the room in the house that people spend the most time in, but they also spend a fair amount of time in the bathroom on a daily basis. From using the toilet, to taking a shower, to checking the bathroom mirror or fixing makeup, the average amount of time people spend in the bathroom is close to one hour a day, but sometimes more. With that much time invested in one room, it is worth making sure that the bathroom is an enjoyable place to visit. With the help of trendy bathroom designs, that becomes possible. The question that people have is what is the trend in bathroom designs.

High Tech is Becoming More Popular

Many of the trends that are being noticed in bathroom design is adding more technology to the bathroom. From showers that have multiple heads that can give a massage like therapy and that have digitally controlled temperature to toilets that are designed to save water and keep themselves clean, technology in the bathroom is available. The more time people spend in the bathroom, the more they want to be entertained. Music systems and televisions in bathrooms are seen everywhere. Technology can also help make a smaller bathroom design more efficient with hidden closets and shelves that can be accessed easily yet are still out of the way.

Comfort is Very Important

When it comes to bathroom design, comfort is important. Heated toilet seats and heated flooring are essential. Showers or baths that allow people to sit and relax as the water envelops them are also in today’s bathroom. The color schemes of the bathrooms are designed to soothe and relax anyone that is inside.

The other trend that worries people the most when it comes to bathroom designs is the rising costs. Having a bathroom that is truly luxurious is expensive, but there are many things that people can do to create a relaxing, and soothing bathroom that are affordable. Since people want to spend time in the bathroom, it is worth finding out what can be done. For help with trendy bathroom designs, contact us and give us a chance to show what we can do for you.

It is possible to know when a bathroom was last renovated by looking at the colors. Homes that were built in the 1950’s and 60’s have always had distinctive looks in their bathroom. Pastel colors and square tile flooring can quickly date a bathroom. It is important for homeowners that want to change the way their bathroom looks to make sure they are choosing the best possible bathroom colors.

The Color Sets the Mood for the Bathroom

Choosing the right color for the bathroom is very important. It can help set the mood for the bathroom. Most homeowners want a bathroom design that is calm and relaxing. They do not want a bathroom that is very busy. Some of the popular colors being used in the bathrooms of today are a soft grey and teals that are paler. While these colors are great for creating a relaxing atmosphere, they can also be dressed up a little by adding a few vertical stripes or patterns to the painting. The result is a bathroom that is both relaxing and interesting to look at.

Classic White will Always Work

While some may disagree, white has always been a classic color scheme for the bathroom. The bathroom is supposed to be clean and the white walls and bathroom furniture is one way to provide that look. A white color scheme in the bathroom can also make a small bathroom appear larger.

While white is a good color choice for a modern bathroom, it does not mean that there cannot be splashes of color added in. Patterns, fixtures and bathroom accessories can be used to add some brighter colors that can liven the bathroom up.

Changing the bathroom colors is an inexpensive way to update a bathroom. It is something that can be done by the homeowner or with the help of a professional. For different ideas and suggestions about what to do with your bathroom colors, get in touch with us and we will help.

When people are furnishing a bedroom, living room or dining room, they have a good idea of what type of furniture to buy. They can easily find beds, sofas or tables to fit in those rooms. If you ask people what kind of furniture they need for the bathroom, they will often have a very perplexed look. They often think of a bathroom in very basic terms, but with the right bathroom furniture examples, it is possible to turn a plain bathroom into another trendy room in the home.

Start with furniture for storage

The bathroom is often a very tight space. It is also a room that needs good storage. Getting furniture that can be used for storage can be accomplished in different ways

• Cabinets – bathroom cabinets can come in different forms. Wall hanging cabinets can take advantage of the limited space in many bathrooms. Storage cabinets that fit under vanities can change the way a bathroom looks. The key to choosing the best storage cabinets for a bathroom is to find one that is made from a material that will stand up to the moisture in the bathroom.
• Storage Bins – Bins are a great way to add color and style to a bathroom. They are also something that can be moved around in a bathroom. Storage bins can come in a variety of sizes and shapes to fit any bathroom.
• Baskets and Basket Frames – Baskets are similar to the storage bins and can add a great deal of style to any bathroom. Having frames that hold the baskets is another great way to create needed storage space.

Add Some Accessories

After following some bathroom furniture ideas that increase the amount of storage space, it is also worth thinking about adding some accessories to the bathroom. Rugs, shower curtains, bathroom fixtures, bath mirrors and other small additions can make a major change to the bathroom.

There are plenty of great ways to turn a bathroom into a showpiece in the home and adding great bathroom furniture is one way to get started. For more ideas and suggestions about bathroom furniture, feel free to contact us and get more information.