Choosing a Kitchen Backsplash
A kitchen remodel is a big undertaking so it’s important that you consider every detail along the way. Your kitchen backsplash probably won’t break the bank, but it has the potential to complement big-ticket items like your countertops and cabinets. Here are five things to consider when choosing a kitchen backsplash so it fits seamlessly into your beautifully designed space.
1. How Much Space Will Your Backsplash Cover?
When considering the design of the backsplash and selecting your backsplash materials, it’s best to approach it already knowing the area it will cover so you can make decisions that stay within your budget. Some materials, like a stone backsplash, are much more expensive than others, and they’re also harder to install—which makes it more labor-intensive (adding to the expense). Small, decorative tiles are also pricey, so while a lovely glass backsplash might make sense in a small space or as an accent, it may not be a practical choice financially to cover a large area.
4 Ways to Reduce Your Energy Bill
With the price of so many goods and services on the rise, here are a few simple ways to reduce your energy bill.
Check for air leaks. Drafty windows and doors can be a huge source of energy loss. Check each of your doors and windows for drafts, and if you feel them, purchase a weatherization kit at your local home improvement store. You can also buy heavy, insulated curtains. If the draftiness is too severe or it’s too dangerous to fix the leaks (such as your second-story windows), call a professional.
Project Spotlight: A Fabulous Finished Basement
Erick and Erica are second owners of a home built by Metzler Home Builders. They loved their home but desired additional living space and decided to pursue the idea of a finished basement. Their uniquely shaped lot and home layout provided allowed them to accomplish four things on their wish list for their basement: a library/game room, a playroom, a media room and storage space. They also wanted to incorporate into the space a bathroom, a wet bar and a Murphy bed.
Tim Zehr drew up a plan for the basement, which included all the desired items. Erick and Erica were impressed with the plan and the proposal and felt like they were getting the best “bang for the buck” in having Metzler’s undertake the project. They were willing to pay for the quality they expected to have in the finished product.
Get-Your-Home-Sparkling Spring Home Checklist
The first official day of spring is March 20, and with winter in our rear-view mirror, March is a great month to ready your home for sunnier days and warmer weather. Here are a few projects to include in your Spring Home Checklist. Get a jump start on them now, so you may fully enjoy the spring days ahead.
Inside
Spring is the perfect time to clean your home thoroughly, but you can’t forget about those pesky spots. The tops of cabinets and under appliances are often overlooked in between deep cleans. If it’s been a while since you took care of these hard-to-reach areas, now would be a great time to dust or vacuum them out so they’re ready for summer.
Project Spotlight: A Truly Custom “Forever” Home
Derek and Sarah have always dreamt of building a new home. After moving to Lancaster County and experiencing an unsuccessful home search, they decided it was time to pursue that dream. They had certain requirements for their “forever” home and hadn’t been able to find a home that met their needs within their price range. They thought building a new home was not financially possible. After looking into it further, they found that building a new home was more cost-effective than buying a house that was on the market and having to make repairs and improvements to make it work for their family.
A realtor that was working with Derek and Sarah referred them to Metzler Home Builders. After an initial consultation with Jordan Metzler, they visited a house that Metzler’s had in the Parade of Homes and saw the attention to detail and expert craftsmanship. That helped “seal the deal” and they decided to move ahead with plans to build.
Gorgeous & Functional Kitchen Ideas
The kitchen is not just for preparing meals. Some of the fondest family moments occur in this room as you try a new recipe or share a plate with your loved ones. The kitchen is also an expression of your lifestyle. Cabinets, countertops, and floorplan designs reflect your style and personality. The good news is you can create a gorgeous and functional kitchen—one of your dreams—regardless of its size. Here are some ideas to consider before you meet with any remodeling firm about a kitchen remodeling project.
Pick a Neutral Color
Neutrals are so versatile, and a neutral kitchen can be the perfect canvas to personalize your space, with colorful rugs, glassware, drawer pulls, fixtures and more.
Project Spotlight: A Haven for Outdoor Living Lovers
Michael and Sharon are outdoor-loving people. They enjoy entertaining family and friends, grilling or just relaxing outside listening to music. They purchased a home several years ago that Metzler Home Builders had built just a few years before that. The original back porch was not adequate for their entertaining needs. They decided to add an outdoor living area with a covered patio and wanted it to look like it was built with the original home. Since they were from out of the area, they weren’t familiar with Metzler’s. They knew they had a quality-built home, though, and since Metzler’s had the blueprints and specifics of the original materials used in construction, it was an easy decision on who to use for their patio project. Tim Zehr, the Senior Designer/Estimator, created CADD drawings of the existing home with the new covered patio. Michael and Sharon were able to make changes to the CADD drawing to suit their taste and budget before the project began.
Leading Bathroom Design Trends
The bathroom can be one of the most used rooms of the house. It’s also a room that requires special attention to comfort and durability, as well as functionality. Bathroom trends have changed drastically over the years and will continue to do so. Here are some of the most popular bathroom design trends that are influencing current design.
Touchless Sensors and Smart Home Controls
Smart home technology for the bathroom is a growing trend with no signs of slowing anytime soon. Approximately 12.8 million people in the U.S. use voice assistance, such as Alexa, Google and Siri, at least monthly, according to eMarketer, and the bathroom is no exception. With voice control, you can adjust smart lighting or use your smartphone to update a music selection. Smart showers allow you to digitally control the water temperature, so you never have to step into a scalding hot shower again. Rain showerheads with LED lighting and Bluetooth built-in speakers can set the mood. Motion sensor faucets and smart toilets make a beautiful addition to any bathroom.
Wall Mount Floating Vanities
Although the crisp lines of floating vanities are generally seen as contemporary, the versatility in storage, along with an array of configurations, make wall mount floating vanities an attractive choice for any bathroom. Because they do not take up any floor space, they create an airy, clean feeling in the space. They also make cleaning the bathroom floors much easier.
Large-Format Tiles
Tiny mosaic tiles are beautiful, but there is a growing movement toward large-format tiles on bathroom walls. This tile style can make a room feel luxurious. With fewer grout lines, not only is it easier to clean, but it takes less material to achieve the same visual effect.
Wood-Look Tiles and Heated Flooring
According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) report, porcelain and ceramic continue to be top-ranking materials for the bathroom, much in part to their versatility. As a result, consumers can expect to see more use of porcelain and ceramic tiles that mimic natural hardwood and marbles, as biophilic design continues to gain momentum, particularly in the bathroom. While not new, heated flooring has become increasingly popular. Not only do they offer that spa-like touch, but they are great for keeping your feet warm.
Space-Saving Soaking Tubs
While showers are still taking up more of the bathroom layout footprint, the tub is no longer sacrificed. The pandemic has only increased homeowners’ desire for relaxation, making soaking tubs a top bathroom feature. The Houzz bathroom trends study notes that freestanding, flat-bottom tubs will be more popular than clawfoot models or other decorative bases; many options do more in less space.
Backlit Mirror and Medicine Cabinets
According to Houzz, 77% of homeowners install new mirrors during a major bathroom renovation, and most now choose illuminated mirrors that offer soft ambient lighting without adding unwanted glare or reflections. When dimmed, this embedded feature can double as a nighttime bedroom nightlight.
Smart Toilets
According to the NKBA 2021 design trends report, smart toilets and bidets are becoming more common in post-pandemic bathroom design. Smart toilets have self-closing lids and touch-free flushing, which greatly reduces touching surfaces that typically have a lot of germs. Some even offer self-cleaning technology, such as a bacteria-killing light under the lid.
Ready to dive into your bathroom design project? Contact us to schedule a consultation.
Fireplace Surround Options
Cooler temperatures have arrived and with that, fireplace use will be kicking into high gear once again. Those people with fireplaces can enjoy a cozy atmosphere, have warmth when electricity is interrupted, cut energy costs and be eco-friendly. Those with wood-burning fireplaces can even heat their coffee or soup on the woodstove! Sixty percent of new homes now have some type of fireplace and that number is rising. If you don’t currently have one, you may want to weigh the benefits and decide if a fireplace (and fireplace surround) is a good fit for your home.
There are many different options to consider when installing a fireplace in your home – whether it’s a new build or an existing home. There are gas units, wood-burning units, blower options, remote options, decorative liners, and many different sizes and applications (see-through, three-sided, outdoor, etc.) Aside from the unit itself, there are also various options for what surrounds the fireplace. Many times this is what dictates the look and feel the fireplace will have in your home, more so than the unit itself. A quick run-down on the “anatomy” of a fireplace surround will help you when selecting a style and finish for your fireplace.
Starting from the bottom up, the HEARTH is essentially the “floor” of the fireplace and extends beyond the firebox and into the room. It can be flush with the floor or raised up off the floor. Slate, flagstone and brick are some favorite materials for a hearth.
The SURROUND is the area outside the fireplace unit itself on the wall. Popular materials for a surround are formed stone, brick, tile, granite and slate. The materials for the surround can extend the height of the mantle or be installed floor to ceiling for a more dramatic look.
The MANTLE is the shelf above the fireplace unit. The mantle can have “legs” or be a free-standing shelf. A simply painted mantle with legs provides clean lines that will accompany most any style. A more rustic look can be achieved by using a piece of reclaimed lumber or old barn beam as a shelf mantle.
Check out the pictures of some of our favorite fireplace surrounds from a few completed projects.
Project Spotlight: Finished Basements
Finished basements are a great way of increasing living space to your home without building an addition. Basement renovation projects give you your best value per square foot and add to the value of your home. A basement is a blank slate before renovating – you can do whatever you like regarding design, color, style – and it doesn’t need to match the rest of the house. Let your imagination run wild! You can create a game room, an entertaining space for parties, a theater room, a kids’ playroom, or a “man cave” – truly, the possibilities are endless. Take a look at these finished basements we’ve completed recently and let us help you get started thinking about the potential your basement has to offer.
