Category: Design
Surface Selections: Countertops
Countertop surfaces are a core element of today’s homes and are being designed into many more rooms than only the kitchen and bath. They are now used in most every room of our home: wet bars, laundry rooms, crafting spaces, garden potting benches, electronic charging stations and more.
With so many surface options available today, countertops can be a tricky item to select, particularly for the rooms where they become a major design element, such as in the kitchen or master suite. Additionally, you may be tasked with selecting a few different types of countertops to create the look you want.
Let’s take a look at some of today’s popular countertop options:
Natural Stone
Natural stone is a beautiful choice for any kitchen or bathroom and comes in a wide range of colors: whites, beiges, browns, grays, blues and nearly black. Because no piece of stone is the same as the next, this makes a natural stone countertop a unique focal point of any room. Many homeowners enjoy the experience of visiting the stone supplier and hand-selecting the slab that will eventually make its way into their home.
While natural stone is a more expensive countertop choice, it is durable, heat resistant and relatively low maintenance. Because resealing annually is recommended to help prevent stains and bacteria growth, most of our clients opt to add DuPont StoneTech Professional sealer, which comes with a 15-year residential warranty. A natural stone countertop can easily last the lifetime of your home and increase the overall home’s value, too. There are many forms of natural stone that are popular today, including granite, marble (rising in popularity in both kitchens and bathrooms), soapstone and limestone.
Quartz
This attractive countertop alternative is giving granite a run for its money. Quartz is actually an engineered product made from approximately 94 percent ground quartz and 6 percent acrylic or epoxy binder. Natural quartz is a very hard material, which makes quartz composite an extremely durable, non-porous surface that is resistant to stains, scratches and heat.
Because quartz is manufactured, the color options are nearly limitless – from vibrant colors to soft, earthy tones. Until a few years ago, one of the biggest detractors of quartz was that it lacked the patterns and color variations, but no more. Today, quartz comes in multi-hued slabs with flecks, swirls and random patterning – making this engineered product look similar to natural stone. Recognizable brand names include Cambria, DuPont’s Zodiaq, and CaesarStone.
Solid Surface
This manmade product is exceptionally durable, easy to maintain and has a clean, smooth feel to it. Homeowners who like the durability of stone, but don’t like the natural variations that come with it, often choose a solid surface countertop because the color and texture is consistent throughout. A recognizable brand name is Corian.
Laminate
Today’s laminate countertops can mimic the look of pricey stone and solid surface countertops for a fraction of the cost. Laminate is manufactured from a combination of plastic and paper and formed into a thin layer that is laminated onto particle board.
Laminate is versatile and is often the go-to choice for countertops in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, workrooms and has even been used as the surface for shop or crafting tables. It comes in a wide range of colors and wood grains, is easy to keep clean (no special products or maintenance requirements), but – you need to know – is susceptible to chips and scratches. Formica is the most recognizable brand name.
Concrete
Concrete is another countertop option that is growing in popularity for residential use. While shades of gray and earth tones are the typical choices, concrete can actually be mixed into a wide range of colors. What makes this surface so much fun is that it can be ground, polished or stained and embedded with items, such as stones, glass or seashells, to create a one-of-a-kind design.
Wood
While not generally used for an entire room, wood countertops are being integrated as a part of overall countertop design – the most common use is for kitchen island countertops. Wood comes in a nice variety of colors, species and finishes, and brings a natural, warm feeling into the space. The most popular wood choices are maple, bamboo, black walnut and cherry, but regional species, such as mesquite in the southwest, can also be a go-to choice.
Wood is less expensive than stone, is warmer to the touch, and is quieter and more “forgiving” if something falls onto its surface. However, it does require more maintenance than most surfaces, as it needs oiled a few times a year to preserve the color and finish; it does also need to be kept dry.
Metal Countertops
Long used in professional kitchens, metal countertops (stainless steel, zinc and copper) give a room a cutting-edge, sleek industrial look. Unlike stone, metal is nonporous (which means it is stain-resistant and antibacterial), doesn’t require sealing and can be cleaned easily with just soap and water.
Zinc and copper countertops will oxidize, forming a patina, and to keep them pristine require a significant dedication to polishing regularly. However, many homeowners enjoy the patina and even find ways to quicken this process to achieve this weathered look.
As you can see, many countertop options are available in today’s market, and each one comes with its pros and cons. What is most important is that you work with your design professional to select the right countertop to fit your lifestyle as well as your renovation budget.
A Kitchen Design Recipe for Foodies
While most consider eating a necessity, you consider cooking an art and your kitchen a studio. Most homeowners rate building a kitchen as one of the more important decisions in their interior design process, but for the foodie, the kitchen is the heart and soul of your home.
A foodie will spend more time using a kitchen than the typical homeowner, so it’s essential that design is equally focused on the weight of functional use over mere aesthetic qualities. This factor will drive creating a space that incorporates the usability of a commercial kitchen into the intricate beauty of residential design.
7 Ingredients for Kitchen Design: A Recipe for Foodies
1) Ingredient Storage: Accessibility is everything to the home gourmet chef. Purposefully locating convenient storage areas will help cooks find even the most obscure ingredients in a short amount of time. Open shelves in a walk-in pantry, interior-lit cabinets with open or glass fronts, built-in herb gardens, and quick-access ingredient drawers or racks allow the chef to find and transfer the essential ingredients to their respective workstations.
2) Tools & Gadgets: Creating uniquely organized storage solutions for utensils, cookware and kitchen gadgets is key. Preferences will vary on whether these items should be visible or stowed away nearby within their own compartments or drawers. Locating these areas conveniently near workstations will save the cook time and aggravation when searching for the right tool.
3) Surfaces: Choose countertop, cabinet, appliance and backsplash materials that can be easily cleaned and will withstand increased usage versus a typical kitchen. Design countertop edges to reduce spills from dripping down to cabinets below. Don’t neglect the impact that lighting will play on illuminating surfaces. Incorporate overhead and under-cabinet fixtures to improve work area visibility.
4) Sinks & Faucets: Depending upon the use, it may be a great idea to install an additional sink and water source at more than one location in the kitchen. Separate prep areas may have increased functionality if fitted with areas for soaking or washing, versus transporting items back and forth across the kitchen. Install detachable faucets to create more versatility in cooking and cleanup.
5) Waste Solutions: Be sure that your disposal preferences are considered in kitchen design. Strong beliefs about what to do with waste should lead to the inclusion of compartments for composting, recycling, disposals, compactors and traditional refuse containers.
6) Appliances: Whether traditional appliances or an added supplement, carefully consider these options in the kitchen. Appliance prices are often driven by durability and features. Determine which features are worth spending the money for.
a) Ranges & Hoods: Gas heat will provide the most control. A varying range of BTUs will provide flexibility for different cooking tasks. Always take into consideration the limits and requirements for exhaust hoods and design with the appropriately sized hood for the space and home, installing them at the ideal height over the surface.
b) Ovens & Warmers: Not only do features drive cost, but insulating capabilities of doors and exteriors are essential factors when choosing the right oven, so not to lose heating power. Explore if the popular double oven is the best choice for your needs. If space is limited, substituting the second traditional oven with a convection or microwave oven, or a warming drawer, may serve a greater purpose.
c) Dishwashers: If you use a lot of utensils and larger cookware and prep items, you will want them to be clean for your next cooking task. Choose a dishwasher with creative options for utensil drawers or holders and that also allows for adjustable spaces for large bowls and pots.
d) Refrigerators & Freezers: If there isn’t room for a larger side-by-side unit, or if supplemental cooling options are needed, utilize a portion of cabinet space for optional built-in cooling drawers or small freezers.
e) Miscellaneous Appliances: Your specific cuisine interests may also drive the additions of features such as rotisseries, woks and other enhancements. Discuss the usage frequency of these items and determine where they rate in design priority over other, more crucial elements.
7) Inspiration: Even though function can win over aesthetics in designing a foodie kitchen, discover what fuels your culinary passion. Strategically add windows, art, décor and music devices to be your muse for your next greatest creation.
Passionate thought and attention to preparing the perfect meal is what separates a foodie from a recreational cook. Your heart should beat with the same enthusiasm about designing the space where you create your masterpieces. Let us help you design a space that inspires your gifts and fuels your passion for food! Bon appetit!
3 Ideas for Changing the Look of Your Bathroom
If you don’t have the time or the budget to take on a full bathroom renovation project yet, there are still a few things you can do to give your bathroom a fresh, new look. Here are a few ideas to give your bathroom the change up it craves.
Satisfy your vanity design – Vanities, particularly in a smaller bathroom, are the one furniture that most bathrooms have so make it a big impact. From furniture style, pedestal and/or floating vanities these are your centerpiece of the whole bathroom. Pedestal vanities create an illusion of extra square footage and floating vanities takes up less visual space. No matter what your style you will not go wrong.
Add style to your walls – Whatever your style, you can change up the look of your space by added accent to the walls. For a simple change, you can paint the bathroom a different color, and perhaps add an accent wall, or you may consider wallpaper, which is making a comeback, particularly in bathrooms. Other ideas include having a decorative tile wall installed that looks like a mural when completed or adding a simple 1” tile backsplash around the sink.
The illusion of glass – The first thing most people notice upon entering a bathroom? The shower. Installing new glass enclosures can heighten the luxurious of the space. There are many different glass etching designs available, so no matter how small or large the shower/tub area is, you can find one to fit your needs.
Fashion upgrade your mirror – With all the various/different styles of mirrors available; you can sure match one up to your style. You can take a tired old rectangle mirror and add a wooden frame, to give your space a new look. You can also remove the big mirror entirely and replace it by hanging a small, decorative mirrors over the sink.
Bright, dark or tiling walls – Deciding the atmosphere you are wanting to create may determine if you want to paint, tile or wallpaper a bathroom wall (or two). Bright colors or dark hues can usually fit in any size bathroom.
Prior starting the refresh of your bathroom, take some time to look through home magazines and/or websites – making note of different styles you like and/or don’t like.
Certainly, if you have a larger project in mind, we are happy to help plan your renovation project. Feel free to reach out to us if you are in need of a contractor – Contact Us.
9 Ideas to Make Your Laundry Room More Functional
Laundry rooms have come a long way from the dark, dank and lint-filled spaces of yesteryear. With so many new products on the market today, laundry rooms are the “hot” home improvement transformation. Washers and dryers are becoming high-tech (and less back-breaking), cabinetry adds function and even Fido can have his pampering place in this room.
- Dog washing station. If your four-legged friend likes to play outside, a dog washing station is a great addition, especially if your laundry room is located off an entrance. You can easily rinse down and dry off Fido’s paws before he tracks dirt into the house.
- Clothes drying racks. If you tend to have many garments that need to air dry, consider integrating a clothes drying rack “built in” to your laundry room design. Drying racks come in various space-saving forms, from pull-out drawers built into cabinetry design to more simple wall (and ceiling) mounts.
- Pull-out ironing board. For those rooms short on space, a drawer ironing board may be the right option for you, and they are easy to retrofit into budget remodels, too.
- Crafting/sewing area. The laundry room can be a perfect spot to have a dedicated space for these hobbies. Anyone who’s lugged the sewing machine out to the kitchen table only to have to clean it up before dinner will appreciate the opportunity to have one spot where projects can sit out until completed.
- Raised washer and dryer. Lifting these front-end loading units off the floor will save your back, and with better sight lines, you may even find that lost sock! Many washers and dryers available today have the option of purchasing a raised sliding drawer that goes under the unit. If that doesn’t make sense for your space, you can always build up the area that your units are placed on; 15” or more is ideal.
- Countertop space. Clear countertop space in the laundry room makes folding laundry right out of the dryer so much easier and efficient.
- Sink. If space allows, a laundry room sink is handy for soaking clothes and getting stains out, and you may find that you get more use out of this sink than you originally thought. The laundry room is a great place to wash your hands after working outdoors, or rinsing down paint brushes or other items that you’d prefer not to wash off in your kitchen sink.
- Additional storage/built-in hampers. There is never enough storage in your house, so maximize the laundry room walls with cabinets and drawers. If space allows, consider built-in hampers that allow you to tuck dirty laundry out of site to keep this zone clutter-free.
- Drop zone. If your laundry room is off an entrance and you have the space, consider building a “drop zone” into this space. Lockers, hooks and under-bench cubbies can keep your family organized as they come and go from school and activities. Additionally, if this is the primary exit point, integrating a charging zone for electronic devices and a counter for keys will come in handy, too.
Don’t automatically assume that your current laundry room space cannot accommodate the design ideas you like – you’d be surprised what you can achieve in the space you have when you work with a professional design/build team.
Outdoor Living Spaces
Outdoor living spaces continue to be one of the fastest growing segments of residential construction. More than ever before, homeowners are seeing their backyard as an extension of their home and are converting their outdoor space into comfortable living areas. Covered decks and patios, outdoor appliances and fire pits continue to increase in popularity.
We all look forward to heading outdoors and enjoying the warmer temperatures now that spring has arrived. What better way to enjoy those warm summer evenings than in your own beautiful outdoor living space. Metzler Home Builders can help you create an outdoor oasis to meet your needs and to complement your existing home. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking about your own new beautiful backyard!
2016 Parade of Homes – Sneak Peak
The Parade of Homes will be held June 11-19, 2016. Metzler Home Builders will have two entries in the Parade this year, and both will be semi-detached homes. One is in our Villas at Featherton Community in Elizabethtown and the other is in our Willow Bend Farm Community in West Lampeter. Please be sure to stop in and see us during the Parade. We’d love for you to see these beautiful move-in ready homes and the lovely communities they are a part of.
2,130 sq. ft. semi-detached home with open floor plan, 4 bedrooms and 3 baths
First-floor master suite with walk-in closet and owner’s bath
First-floor living space features open floor plan with gas fireplace and hardwood flooring
Cloister Cabinetry kitchen design including granite countertops and island w/ bar seating
First-floor laundry room with custom bench and pegs
Efficient natural gas heating system
Beautiful craftsman exterior with stone and vinyl materials
Covered concrete patio
Precast Superior Walls in basement
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1,711 sq. ft. semi-detached home with open floor plan, 3 bedrooms and 2 ½ baths
First-floor master suite with walk-in closet and owner’s bath
Swartz kitchen design including granite countertops, peninsula with bar seating and stainless steel appliances
Living room featuring gas fireplace with brick surround
Hardwood flooring throughout first-floor living space
Spacious dining area with custom wainscoting
Efficient natural gas heating system
Private concrete patio
Large basement with Superior Walls
Creating Your Perfect Retreat: 7 Bathroom Design Trends to Watch in 2016
In our fast-paced, hurried lives, the bathroom has become our sanctuary – our place to unwind and find our center of balance once more.
Why are bathrooms such an ideal escape spot? There are a number of reasons, but for many of us, it is the element of water coupled with a degree of privacy. We can soak away the day’s stress in a warm bath, or allow the water from the shower to beat away our tired, aching muscles – and within that time period when we are alone, our minds begin to quiet and our bodies come to a state of rest.
When it comes to remodeling projects in 2016, the bathroom – particularly the master bathroom – has overtaken the kitchen as the number one project planned by homeowners, according to the 2016 Houzz and Home Survey.
Thoughtful bathroom design isn’t just important in renovations, as new home builders and designers are putting much more care and attention into the master bath to provide their buyers with the retreat they want in that space.
With this in mind, we put together our list of seven bathroom trends to watch in 2016 – to inspire you to pull together your perfect bathroom retreat.
Large Showers & Exterior Tubs
Larger master bathroom showers are still quite desirable, and two types continue to be popular – frameless showers and walk-in showers. Inside, homeowners want amenities like double shower heads, oversized rain heads, a bench and built-in cubbies to hold products.
Exterior tubs also continue to be a sought-after design element, as more interesting and decorative options come to market, such as matte-painted clay tubs with a polished porcelain finish.
Embrace Mother Earth
The integration of natural, earthy materials in the bathroom continues to be a design trend – as many ideas are gleaned from the day-spa environment. River rocks and natural stone have been go-to selection options for a few years, but wood-like floors have emerged as a viable flooring choice now that several products on the market imitate wood, such as wood-look tile flooring. This trend can create the desired look without the headache of natural wood upkeep.
Other ways that Mother Earth is being integrated into our bathrooms include designing with more natural lighting considerations (skylights and transom lighting), accenting with leafy natural plants and installing beautiful wooden cabinetry.
The New White
We aren’t convinced that it actually ever left, but white is definitely back in a new, softer way, thanks in part to the material used to create some of the key elements found in a bathroom. Many freestanding tubs and pedestal sinks are made with resin-based composite material which gives them a softer, matte white finish.
Additionally, white tiles have evolved with new shapes, sizes (think long profile) and textures – all of which can create a fresh, clean and sophisticated space.
Large Format Tiles
These oversized tiles are just as popular as the itty-bitty mosaic tiles from a few years go, but these come with the added benefit of creating a seamless look, which often makes a room look bigger than its actual dimensions. And because there are less grout lines between tiles, it makes them much easier to keep clean.
Artisan Tiles
The beauty lies in the imperfection of these beautiful hand-crafted tiles. Adding a few thoughtfully selected artisan tiles to a bathroom can create visual appeal – acting almost like artwork – and provide rich texture to the space.
Functionality
Bathroom space planning has taken on a bigger priority as homeowners yearn for a place that is truly a retreat from life’s hustle and clutter. Adequate storage and furniture-like cabinetry continue to be important aspects of bathroom design.
Metallics
For the last few years, we’ve seen metal as a rising interior trend, and in 2016 we expect it only to grow – and that includes in our bathrooms. Bright and polished fixtures are being replaced with matte/satin finishes. Brushed stainless steel and brass (yes, brass!) are back in a big way for 2016. For a small splash of metal, look at fixtures, drawer pulls, mirrors, accent pieces and decorative drains, but if it is a larger metallic splash you seek, elect a copper tub or vessel sink.
Universal Design in the Kitchen
What Is Your Square Foot Price?
As a new home builder, we get the “What is your square foot price?” question quite often. If you have ever heard the term “loaded question,” this certainly applies for us as home builders.
But in our case, as a true custom home builder, we believe this is probably an even more difficult question for us to answer than for a large production builder because they typically only build pre-determined floor plans and offer a limited number of options with set prices.
At Metzler Home Builders, we like to say that we build homes of all shapes, sizes and for all budgets, and because of this philosophy, it is basically impossible for us to have a one-word (or number) answer to the square foot price question. Our answer is going to be much more complex because of all the variables that go into the cost of building your customized home.
In this article, we will attempt to break it down in simple terms and highlight some of the major factors in determining the cost of your new home.
“UP vs. OUT”
In terms of cost of building, one of the first things we discuss with clients is that it’s cheaper to build “up” than “out.” In the most basic terms, 
building a two-story home is going to be cheaper per square foot than building a one-story or ranch-style home. The biggest reason is because with a ranch home, getting the square footage you want all on one level requires a larger (or more sprawling) foundation and also more roof area.
The most cost-effective plans for new homes are often two-story designs with simple roof lines and a minimum number of offsets in the exterior walls. More corners, angles and offsets designed into your home generally equates to a higher cost per square foot. This often becomes a delicate balance, as it is also what gives a new home its “curb appeal.” However, there are many ways to dress-up a home’s exterior appearance even if it is simple and efficient in design.
NOT ALL SQUARE FOOTAGE IS CREATED EQUAL!
Another factor to understand about building a custom home is that not all square footage is created equal. Basement square footage can be 
finished at a lesser cost than the rest of your home. The same applies to potential bonus space over a garage. It is because essentially the “framework” or shell of that space is already created with the foundation or framing of your home, and you are only paying for the finish trades to get the usable space that you want.
Another misconception is, people sometimes assume that if they are over budget with their home plans, they can just cut out a few feet here or there. They calculate the savings by: (the square footage x the cost per square foot). Unfortunately, it isn’t quite that simple. While decreasing your overall square footage will help, it usually doesn’t equate to the savings most would like to see.
A better approach to saving money on your custom built home is by taking a hard look at your amenities, and often the kitchen and bathrooms are where you spend the most. It may actually be a smarter choice to reassess the quality of finishes rather than sacrificing square footage. You can always upgrade your kitchen countertops, flooring or bathroom fixtures in the future, but you probably won’t put an addition on to make your living area or bedrooms a few feet wider after the house is built.
FINISHES INSIDE & OUT
Another reason why the “What’s your square foot price?” question is so difficult to answer is because everyone has different expectations regarding the level of finishes in their custom home. Some may be happy with hardwood flooring in the foyer of their home, and carpet and vinyl throughout the remainder; others may want hardwood throughout their home, included the bedrooms. While this is just one example, you can see how this scenario can be applied to flooring, kitchen cabinets, countertops, vanities, plumbing and lighting fixtures, fireplaces, paint and trim finishes … and more.
Additionally, exterior finishes can cause the price to vary just as much as the interior finishes. Vinyl siding is one of the most affordable options for the exterior of your home, but masonry products such as brick, stone and stucco, while great options, will also add to the cost
FOR LAND’S SAKE!
Your lot can also be a big component of the overall cost of building your home, and when it comes to custom home building, it can have just as many cost variables as what you are putting inside your home.
Here are a few factors that go into this cost:
- Is the lot served by public water and sewer, or will it require a well to be drilled for water supply and a drain field for your septic system?
- Will the house be situated close to the road, or will it be set back a few hundred feet resulting in a longer driveway with more excavation and paving costs?
- Will your home be located in the woods, requiring tree clearing and topsoil to be imported so you can establish a nice yard?
- Does your lot have an approved storm water management plan? The regulations have recently changed, and depending on the plan that has been or needs to be designed, this can add considerable cost to your project.
All of these “land-related” items can swing the square foot cost considerably, and make it especially difficult to estimate the cost of a home prior to knowing the location of where it will be built.
OUR APPROACH
In recent years, we have built basic spec homes ranging from $90/SF to large custom homes that were $250/SF, so you can see why the question “What is your square foot price?” is a difficult one for us to answer – we don’t want to mislead you.
We work hard to give our clients the best idea of costs we can based on the design of the home, their expectations for finishes in the home and the land where the home will be built. We use all of these factors to approximate cost per square foot; however, our best option is always to get firm pricing from our subcontractors and suppliers and deliver a contract price that spells out exactly what is included. This is part of our fair and honest approach to designing, pricing and building your custom home.
The Basics for Picking Out Your Kitchen Sink
If you are planning a kitchen remodel (or building your custom home), one of the items you’ll consider is what type of kitchen sink you want. Believe it or not, the kitchen sink will speak volumes to the look and feel that you are trying to create and play a significant role in the overall functionality of the room.
Here are some kitchen sink basics you need to know when making this selection.
Sink Materials
Sinks are made from different materials: stainless steel, cast iron, fireclay and composite. Let’s take a look at each one.
Most of the sinks that you will find in stores are going to be made of stainless steel. When considering a stainless steel sink, remember the lower the gauge (16 gauge is thicker than 20 gauge), the more resistant it will be to heat and dents.
Cast iron sinks are extremely durable and are not prone to staining; however, you will find that these kitchen sinks will be more expensive to purchase and install (because they are so heavy).
For those who want to create a classic kitchen look, a fireclay sink may be a top contender. It is created when clay and glaze are fused together after being fired at an extremely high temperature. The result is a very hard and extremely durable material. It resists chips, heat, acid and discoloration, so it will withstand heavy use over time.
Another possibility is a composite sink. These come in a variety of colors so you can match your sink to the other elements of your kitchen. These sinks are durable and easy to take care of.
Selecting Your Sink Style
Before you select your kitchen sink based on looks, consider what you will be doing with the sink first. This should greatly help you determine which style is the best for you.
The single-bowl sink is a wonderful option if you do not have a lot of space. It can also be a great choice if you have large pots and pans to clean. For those who love to cook, the double-bowl sink may be the right style because it affords you different bowls for multi-tasking, and you can select the size and depth of each bowl.
If you want a sink that makes a statement, take a look at a farmhouse sink – where the sink front actually replaces part of the countertop. It is a great look for cottage- or country-style homes, like those here in Lancaster, but because of its unique look, it is often found in modern-style kitchens, too.
There are two ways that sinks can be mounted – under or top. An under-mounted sink gives that area of your kitchen a cleaner and finished look, but it is a bit more expensive than a top-mount, or self-rimming, that sets into the countertop from above.
As you can see, there are a few factors to take into consideration when selecting a kitchen sink, but if you take your time and think through how you cook, how durable you need your sink to be and what look you want for your kitchen, you’ll be prepared to make a selection that you’ll be happy with for years to come.