May 2014 Newsletter

New Kitchen and Bath Ideas Keep It Fresh for 2014

Each year, the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) provides a spectacular showcase for the latest and most inspiring products, trends and technologies on the horizon for kitchens and bathrooms. This year, it was bigger, better and even more exciting because the sponsor, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), combined KBIS with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) International Builders' Show (IBS) in Las Vegas, under the banner of Design & Construction Week.

Here are some of the top trends that will be making their way into updated kitchens and baths this year:

“Smart” is Here to Stay

Anything that's "smart" is gaining popularity: wall ovens that are controlled with a wireless remote, digital faucets and showers that tell you the actual water temp on a screen so there are no surprises, fridges that have flex zones that can switch between cooling and freezing, induction cooktops that warn you before a pot boils over, and an increasing variety of products that can be controlled from a phone app. There are also products that are smart in other ways. Medicine cabinets have lights inside for convenience, and electrical outlets are hidden away for charging your devices. Cabinet organization and storage are more customizable than ever before with dividers, knife blocks, compartmentalized bins and pull-out trays to reduce clutter and make meal prep easier.

Clean, Contemporary Lines

Industry insiders at the show agree that the style seen most at KBIS this year was a more spare, contemporary aesthetic focused on clean lines, space efficiency, and universal design features. While transitional styles are still popular, kitchen design is definitely trending to the more contemporary, with less clutter and little ornamentation.

LED Takes the Lead

There was no nostalgia at KBIS for old-style incandescent or fluorescent lighting. LED has taken the lead in all areas of the home. The many variations on LED lights are highly efficient, don't give off heat in the room, are dimmable and they last a long time. Put light right where you need it: inside a drawer or cabinet, on a backsplash or baseboard or even install a vanity sink or toilet that can glow like a nightlight. One exciting product category is the LED fireplace that needs no vent and can be placed anywhere you want the ambiance of flames but not the heat, even in the middle of a room.

What's New on the Surface

KBIS predicts that in 2014 kitchen and bath designers will be looking for surfaces that are both beautiful and easier to care for. Quartz is taking over granite's top spot this year. Also surging in popularity for countertops will be engineered and recycled surfacing materials, both because of their environmental friendliness and their natural, distressed look. Adding a fresh touch to kitchen decor this year will be metallic finishes, especially copper, and tile colors and patterns that might just steal the spotlight in the room.

We believe that the most important trend of all is designing your kitchen and bathrooms around your personal aesthetics and lifestyle. If you're thinking about increasing the beauty, functionality and efficiency of any room in your home, this is an exciting year to do it. Let us help you select the fresh looks that are just right for you!

Maintenance Tip: Landscape Planning with “Defensible Space”

Be a fire-wise homeowner by maintaining an area immediately around your home where grasses, brush and trees have been reduced, modified or removed. You can maintain "curb appeal" by combining short grass with ground covers, decorative rocks, stepping stones, vegetable gardens, mulch, and widely spaced plantings of bulbs, low-growing shrubs and wildflowers (being careful to remove all dead branches, stems and leaves).

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Chris Donatelli CR, CKBR, CGBP

E-News April 2014 - "Creativity Makes for Better Design & Remodeling"

Creativity Makes for Better Design and Better Remodeling

When we start a remodeling project, our goal is to create new living spaces that meet your design and budget needs while also rewarding you with plenty of "wow" factor. Our goal at Chris Donatelli Builders is to facilitate a good experience from start to finish. Helping realize your dreams within practical parameters can be a challenge – one that we solve by applying creativity not just to the design, but to the entire remodeling process.

How does creativity make for better remodeling? By using wide-open thinking and imagination in every phase of the project, we can solve problems and anticipate ways to prevent them from happening in the first place. This provides you with good design and a remodeling process that goes more smoothly and cost-effectively. At Chris Donatelli Builders, creativity is about innovation as well as communication. We love the challenge of coming up with fresh ideas for delivering the look, feel and functionality you want while keeping the entire project on time and on budget.

So, what's the "Return On Investment" of applying creativity to the entire remodeling process? Let's take a quick look.

1. Better design: The difference in cost between kitchens is hard to quantify. Costs can vary widely when considering finish choices and personal design elements. High appeal doesn't always have to mean expensive. So why settle for boring? Creative use of space and materials can make all the difference in rewarding you with new living spaces that delight you day in and day out.

2. Better functionality: What do you feel currently limits your use and enjoyment of your home? How can shifting the layout fit your family's needs? By applying creative problem-solving early in the remodeling process, you will be able to enjoy new spaces that not only look great, but that also function better.

3. Better systems: We focus our services on learning about your desires, needs, preferences, priorities and tastes so that the finished product is the result you were looking for. Our systems keep creativity grounded in practical parameters so that we can avoid unpleasant surprises and help make your remodeling experience trouble-free, fun and satisfying.

4. Better Value: Providing creativity in every phase of the project does require talented team members, knowledge, skills, training and project management. Because of that, the estimate you receive from Chris Donatelli Builders may seem to be a bit more than those offered by remodelers who don't value creativity. The trouble is, without a creative approach, you can wind up with a less-than-easy remodeling experience. This can include extra costs for redoing things that don't measure up and living with a space that is unimaginative and marginally functional. Down the road if you decide to sell, these shortcomings can also have an impact on your home's marketability.

We've worked with many clients over the years. Our creativity has helped them avoid problems, inconveniences and unpleasant (even costly) surprises. They have ended up with homes that continue to delight them with unique functionality, "wow," and long-term value.

How would our brand of creative remodeling apply to your next project? Give us a call and let's take a look.

Maintenance Tip: The Cure for Sticky Phones

Got kids? Then you probably have an iPhone that has been sticky, gooey or crusty. DON'T use household cleaners, solvents, aerosol sprays, abrasives or paper towels to clean it! The safest cleaning method is a soft microfiber cloth like you use on your glasses or camera lens. For more stubborn stuff, dampen the cloth slightly with distilled water. A mixture of distilled water and alcohol can be used on the case, but can damage the coating on the screen.

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Chris Donatelli CR, CKBR, CGBP

March 2014 E-Newsletter

Kitchens for Cooking and Entertaining

There are many reasons why people remodel their kitchens. Sometimes the goal is nothing more than a kitchen upgrade, with new countertops, cabinets, floor, and appliances. Sometimes the goal is a gourmet kitchen, with professional-grade appliances and cooking capabilities.

Still, many would agree that the kitchen is more than just a place for cooking. Families gather in the kitchen in the morning, getting ready for their days or brewing a cup of coffee. Kids do their homework there, so that they can be near parents who are preparing dinner. Plus, many people now prefer a more casual style of entertaining guests, where friends can stop and chat in the kitchen while sipping wine or nibbling hors d'oeuvres. For this multi-purpose kitchen, conventional kitchen designs are often inadequate. Luckily, with a little bit of inspiration, kitchens can be redesigned and remodeled to better fit their multiple uses.

Laying It All Out

In kitchen design, one of the most prevalent structural frameworks is the "work triangle," which is comprised of the space between the range, refrigerator, and sink. Most of the work happens at these three places, and it is important for them not to be situated too close together (as the cook will feel cramped with too little counter space) or too far apart. Another option that's becoming popular is the kitchen designed around the concept of stations, more like restaurant kitchens, with a prep station, a hot station, a clean-up station, and even computer station.

In a kitchen that's used for both cooking and entertaining, the layout should also create smooth traffic patterns and make it possible for more than one person to cook at a time. In addition, family or friends who are not cooking will feel more comfortable gathering in a kitchen if there is sufficient space outside of the work area for them to relax without being in the way. A welcoming, casual floor plan that is open to the family room, breakfast nook or dining room will allow kitchen traffic to flow easily in, out and around the spaces.

A Natural Gathering Spot

An important design element is an island, which can play a big part in creating comfortable places for non-cooks to socialize in the kitchen. Island options can include bar-height seating at stools, a nook with a bench and upholstered chairs, or a convenient spot to serve food buffet-style. And, if you want the island to house a cooktop or a sink, it is possible to have a dual-height island with a lower level for food prep and a higher level for seating or serving.

The Butler's Pantry

A valuable addition when you're entertaining is a butler's pantry. With extra cabinets, counters, sink and perhaps an extra dishwasher or refrigerator, a butler's pantry provides a perfect area for you to stage foods for serving. Everything from hors d'oeuvres platters to coffee cups can be set up there, while the extra counter space helps when clearing dirty dishes. It's often fairly easy to carve out room for a butler's pantry in your existing space...and even a small one can make a big difference in the feel and functionality of your new kitchen.

Products That Make Entertaining Easier

In addition to an efficient layout, a kitchen designed for entertaining can include products to make life even easier. You might consider incorporating a warming drawer or steam oven for keeping one dish warm while you prepare another, or a wine refrigerator which can be built into an island or outside counter for easy service. If you're always running out of ice, you may want a stand-alone ice maker as well.

Don't Go It Alone

Kitchen remodels, while rewarding, can be challenging to plan and construct, and kitchen technology is always changing. That's why we're here! With our creativity, experience and design know-how, we can explain your options and make recommendations you may not have even considered. We want to ensure you're getting everything you want and need from your beautiful new kitchen.

Safety Tip: Microchip Your Pets

One of the most important things you can do for your pets is to get them microchipped. In an emergency or natural disaster, first responders do not have the resources to care for and reunite pets with their families if they become separated. A lost pet with an active microchip can be easily identified by most veterinarians or shelters.

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Chris Donatelli CR, CKBR, CGBP

February 2014 Newsletter - Small Updates with Big Impact

Small Updates with Big Impact

Sooner or later, homes start to show their age. Just as there comes a time when it makes sense to replace the roof, it can also make sense to update fixtures and finishes that are no longer stylish, lack today's features, or that have simply not held up well over the years. Think of it as the solution between simply repainting rooms and doing an all-out remodel.

Right now, many of the homes built in our area in the 1980s and 1990s are in need of a freshening up. Even homes that were showcases a decade ago have started to look a little old-fashioned (and not in a good, charming way). Plus, many homes were constructed using builder-grade materials that have worn out over time.

What Makes Today's Interiors Look Old?

Materials that haven't aged well can give even the nicest home a shabby appearance. Examples we frequently see include brass-plated light fixtures that have begun to pit, cabinet doors that have warped or sagged, faucets that have begun to corrode, and door knobs where the brass plating has rubbed off exposing the dark metal underneath.

The style of fixtures and finishes can also make a once-elegant home look dowdy. Here are some examples:

• Ornate lighting fixtures look outdated compared to today's sleeker, sturdier fixtures in wrought iron or antique brushed finishes like copper or nickel.
• In bathrooms, the all-white tile that looked so fresh a decade ago now looks bland and "low end" compared to today's preference for colors, natural stone, or glass.
• Light oak kitchen cabinets and floors also date a house. Deeper finishes in colors like Espresso and Chocolate Brown are popular for floors and cabinets, with bold, bright colors used for accents.
• Wall-to-wall carpet gives a house a very dated appearance these days. Even in bedrooms, hardwood floors are more desirable for their clean, rich look. Besides bringing down the style and appeal of a home, carpet can also harbor dirt and pollen particulates causing problems for allergy sufferers or children.

The Big Impact of a “Fixture And Finish Update”

We can do something that's small-scale but high-impact by doing what we call a "Fixture and Finish Update." Instead of renovating by knocking down walls, we can go through the home replacing elements that are worn and lack the freshness of new materials and finishes and the functionality of new products.

To give you an idea of the relatively small scope of an update, our work might include things like replacing the home's lighting fixtures and giving those all-white tiled bathrooms a spa-like feel with natural stone elements. We install good-quality wood cabinets. We replace corroded faucets and worn brass-plated door knobs with handsome new levers in brushed nickel. For more contemporary-looking floors and stair rails, we refinish the oak, stain the floors and handrail a deep walnut, and paint the balusters and stair risers white.

Many homeowners have the intention of being in their homes for many more years and just want it to feel fresh and current again. Room by room, we can update a home so it does indeed look – and live – like it's brand new.

With a Fixture and Finish Update, you get much of the impact of a whole-house renovation, but with a fraction of the budget. If you'd like to explore possibilities for your own update remodel, just give us a call!

Maintenance Tip: Look for MORE Ways to Conserve Water

Even with our recent rainy weather, California is still experiencing extreme drought conditions. Since our state contains well established urban areas as well as large agricultural industry, our efforts to conserve water at home are now more important than ever. Try to reduce your water use by 20% right away with these tips:

• Fix leaks now! Repair or replace any leaking or water-wasting fixtures and appliances. (Our handyman service would be glad to help you with this!)
• Take shorter showers and turn off the water while brushing your teeth or lathering up your hands.
• Instead of running your faucet until the water is hot, install a "re-circulating pump". This unit ties your piping system together and dumps cold water from the hot side back into the cold side. Once the water is hot the connection is closed.
• Instead of flushing food scraps down the sink disposal, put them in the garbage can or compost pile.
• Rinse fruits and vegetables in a filled sink or a water-filled pan instead of washing them under a running faucet.
• Sweep driveways or sidewalks with a broom instead of hosing them down.
• Run the washing machine and dishwasher only with full loads.

For more tips and information, visit the website of Save Our Water, a statewide, water conservation program created by the California Department of Water Resources and the California Association of Water Agencies.

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Chris Donatelli CR, CKBR, CGBP

January 2014 Newsletter - "Home Automation Options"

Today's Home Automation Brings New Meaning to “Remote” Control

If you're annoyed with having separate remotes for your TV, DVD player, cable box and sound system, you might think that having a "smart" home would be too complicated. But you would be wrong. Twenty-first century home automation innovations make it possible to connect multiple systems and appliances and to control them all from wherever you are with your phone, iPad or computer. Whether you're home on the couch, at your office or kids' soccer game, or even away on vacation, you can tell your home what to do.

The prevalence of wireless Internet networks in homes and the increasing affordability of home technology mean more and more companies can offer easier-than-ever ways to smarten up your home.

Select a System...

One name that's getting a lot of buzz is Nest, which was recently acquired by Google. The addition of Google's resources to Nest's technology has created excitement about what's sure to be the next generation of internet-enabled home gadgets. Two systems are currently available: Nest Thermostat and Nest Protect. Every time you adjust the temperature on a Nest Learning Thermostat, you're teaching it your preferences and schedule. Before you know it, it's programmed itself to maintain your comfort. An Auto-Away™ mode for energy efficiency kicks in when it detects no one is home. The Nest Protect smoke and carbon monoxide alarm units have simple green/yellow/red status lights and send low-battery alerts to your phone (so there's no low-battery chirping in the middle of the night). Plus, if you burn your toast, you'll get a simple "Heads-Up" alert instead of an ear-piercing alarm blast.

Kwikset offers KEVO smart locks that secure your home not only with traditional metal keys, but also with auto-style fobs or Smartphone controls. Encrypted controls let you buzz-in your in-laws when they show up early or keep track of when your teenagers come in and go out.

LG's newest line of smart appliances has HomeChat, a service that lets you text with your connected appliances...and get replies. Before you arrive home from a hard day's work you can turn on the oven, start a robotic vacuum and tell the washer to start a load of laundry.

...Or Get Totally Connected

Lutron has become a well known brand of switches, timers and occupancy sensors for light and fan fixtures. With the progression of wireless technology, custom lighting solutions have become more prevalent in the industry. Now with the ability of "smart" systems to be web connected, your home can be managed whether you are there or not. The Radio RA2 system from Lutron is one such system. The lighting, central air, security and window shade systems can all be centralized and programmed to your schedule. The system can be controlled at a main panel or through a phone, tablet or off-site via the web.

The first benefit of the wireless switch technology is complete flexibility. You can control the lighting of each room according to your activity and available natural light. You can even pre-program lighting scenarios for activities like viewing movies or entertaining. This can help to save energy and optimize your comfort level. The second advantage is the ability to integrate all your systems together. The system can detect energy being wasted by appliances (computers, monitors, etc), occupancy for a room or when peak power loads can be an issue…and will then offer "green" mode (dimming lights, opening shades, adjusting thermostat) to reduce your energy usage. Security and heating/cooling systems can also be managed while you are away or help you monitor house guest activity. Click here for a detailed customer brochure on the Lutron RadioRA2 product line.

Photos courtesy Nest Labs Inc. and Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.

Maintenance Tip: Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

The potential for carbon monoxide poisoning increases dramatically in the winter. In addition to having carbon monoxide detectors with an audible alarm in your home and garage, follow these tips to help keep your family safe:

• Make sure your fuel-burning appliances (gas furnaces, gas water heaters, gas ranges and ovens, gas dryers, gas or kerosene space heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves) are installed properly.
• Never use an oven, gas range or charcoal grill to heat your home if the power goes out.
• Never leave your car idling in a closed garage to "warm up" in cold weather. Fumes can build up very quickly in the garage and enter the living area of your home.

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Chris Donatelli CR, CKBR, CGBP

Award Winning Projects!

The META awards, sponsored by our local chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, are given out for projects that showcase a "metamorphosis" of a space through remodeling.  Judges look for aesthetics, functionality and fulfilling clients needs.  We have enjoyed taking part in past competitions, since our company is active in NARI and respects its mission.  Therefore we were very happy to receive FIVE awards (one for each entry we submitted) earlier this month!  Here is a description of each project:

Kitchen Remodel - Platinum Award

Designer - Tali Hardonag

This family is all about the cooking, enjoyment and sharing of food. They needed an update to their cramped kitchen that was bursting at the seams and not well-suited for the regular entertaining they often enjoyed. With the re-adjusting of a few walls as well as a 4 foot addition, the space has been transformed to a cooks paradise. A new island with butcher block counters offers plenty of prep space. Stainless steel counters at the perimeter take a beating but clean up easy. A commercial grade cooking center has a range, indoor BBQ and separate broiler all under a large hood. This makes for a kitchen that can take on any cooking challenge!

Bath Remodel & Addition - GOLD Award

Designer - Patsy Zakian-Greenough

The client had just purchased the home but was not satisfied with the accommodations of the two small baths. The remodel was centered around the hall bath, with the decision to add space to fit a large luxurious tub with handheld shower. This is a great alternative to the master bath which has a shower only. The new addition created a vaulted ceiling with skylights to offer natural lighting to the space. A large vessel sink with modern faucet and light fixtures creates a very streamlined design. The wall hung vanity and toilet further the modern look. Floor to ceiling tile, radiant floors and a towel warming bar add to the "spa-like" feel that creates an atmosphere of relaxation after a long day.

Interior Remodel - GOLD Award

Designer - Toni DeWaal

This space was previously occupied by a playroom off the kitchen/dining area. Since the children were getting older, the space was going unused. The client decided to change the space to something the family could enjoy together. Custom cabinets add functional storage as well as display areas in the form of bookcases. A work station with computer and printer offers a convenient spot for homework that can easily blend into the background when not in use. Cabinet crown and door casing draws attention to the vaulted ceiling, while new flooring brings a maturity that was lacking in the old space.

Bath Remodel - GOLD Award

Designer - Toni DeWaal

This master bathroom was a little cramped and outdated. The clients had been looking forward to treating themselves to a new space, but the budget had to stay reasonable. That meant a focus on fixtures and finishes, with no walls moving or major mechanical re-working. An all new vanity (from Dynasty cabinets) with apron sink and darker finish creates a rich base. The reduced depth at the far end of the vanity is to allow for easy entrance to the new shower enclosure with hinged door. The vanity and pendant light fixtures create a modern look with clean lines. A mosaic tile backsplash adds accent color that ties to the vanity and floor tile. The transformation of the space got rid of the poor function and gloomy look. Now the clients are very satisfied and enjoy being able to appreciate the new space on a daily basis.

Bath Remodel & Addition - Silver Award

Designer - Patsy Zakian-Greenough

This master bathroom (toilet, vanity and bathtub) was squeezed into one small room. The client desired more space for a larger shower and master closet. With a small addition onto the rear of the home, enough space as created to build a "spa-like retreat" of a shower. The 5’ x 7’ shower room is equipped with a large overhead rain shower head, body sprays and corner bench. Windows and skylights bring in natural light and views of the mountain hillside setting. An all new master closet also uses some of the added space to create a walk-in layout with floor to ceiling cabinets, open shelves and two levels of closet rods for storage. The space that once held the existing bathroom is now used for the vanity and toilet only, so the space is much less crowded. A wall hung vanity with vessel sink creates an updated modern look. The homeowner loves to have the luxury of this new space, especially to relax after returning from traveling.

Please visit our website and Houzz profile to see more of these and other past projects. Contact us via email or at 408-287-4886 with questions or to talk about your own project!  

E-Newsletter for November 2013

November 2013

Use "Forward to a Friend" link

Forget Cookie Cutter Kitchens: Remodel for What You Love! It's great fun to go online to be inspired by all the beautiful kitchen remodeling projects you can find on Houzz, Pinterest or home décor sites. But at Chris Donatelli Builders, we think remodeling should give you more than what "other people" like. We believe the kitchen you'll love the most will be the one designed around the activities you love the most. Here are some ideas to get you started. Baker's Kitchen Marble countertops are ideal for kneading dough and rolling flaky pastry but they're easily stained by berries, vanilla and lemon juice. A solution is to create a marble work station that's lower in height than the other counters (thus perfect for working with dough) and then use engineered quartz (like Caesarstone) for the rest of the counters. The quartz offers the same cool-to-the-touch baking advantages but it's far easier to maintain than marble.     You may want an island workstation with plenty of "elbow room" for rolling dough. A heavy duty slide-out shelf can lift a stand mixer out of a lower cabinet up to counter level and send it back when you're done with it. No heavy lifting is required and you've saved valuable counter space. Or, you may prefer a baking center where large mixers can stay out on the counter, but hidden by a pull-down tambour door when not in use. For storing flours, sugar and other ingredients, drawers offer easier access than cabinets. Still, it's good to include some deep cabinets for organizing large baking sheets, muffin tins and racks. A double oven lets you bake in large batches and at different temperatures, and new ovens with steam injection are perfect for crisp yet tender breads and pastry crusts. Gourmet Kitchen Gourmet recipes call for chopping, simmering, searing and more! That's why your dream kitchen needs multiple types of lighting, counter heights and work surfaces. Butcher block may not be right for all your countertops, but it makes a perfect inset for a chopping station that's also designed to keep knives handy. You may want to plan the kitchen so several cooks have room to work, but consider keeping the central prep area smaller so you can be most efficient when cooking alone. If you use lots of fresh ingredients, consider a bottom-freezer refrigerator that raises fresh food to eye level. The latest "French door" models solve the problem of side-by-side refrigerators that may be too narrow to accommodate large platters and trays, while keeping the convenience of two narrow doors instead of one large door. An extra pot-filler water faucet at the stove makes filling heavy pasta and stock pots a breeze! And if you like to have blenders and food processors handy on the counter, there are ingenious new ways to make them "disappear" when not in use.   Comfort Kitchen Dreaming of a luxurious but cozy kitchen? You're not alone! Stainless steel continues to be popular for appliances, but new oiled-bronze finishes (like those from Jenn-Air) offer warmer choices for more traditional kitchen décor. To remodel the kitchen for a welcoming, "furnished" feel, leave room for comfortably upholstered armchairs around the table, consider a built-in refrigerator and dishwasher with cabinet-front insets and set the kitchen island off with different finishes than the cabinets. Plus you can use furniture flourishes like table legs or display shelves. To keep your kitchen comfortable – and accessible – for everyone, consider including a variety of lighting options, counter heights and workstations for adults, kids and even friends and family with limited mobility or less-than-perfect eyesight. What's Your Dream Kitchen? An Entertaining Kitchen? A "Green" Kitchen? A Kid-Friendly Kitchen? Even if you're not ready to remodel right away, we'd be happy to share some ideas and new products to keep in mind as you begin to think about how to turn "what you love" into a kitchen you'll love for years to come. Just give us a call and we'll talk about turning your dream kitchen into reality! Maintenance Tip: Check Your Home's Exterior for Potential Problems Autumn's a great time to inspect the outside of your home. The area around your foundation should be graded away from the house. Downspouts should carry runoff at least 3 to 4 feet from the foundation. Also make sure mulch or woodpiles don't come into contact with siding, as this invites termites and carpenter ants into your home. If You Like Our E-newsletter, Pass It On! We would like to thank all our new readers who have signed up for our e-newsletter. If you know someone who you think might like our e-newsletter, please forward them a copy. Unless they then choose to subscribe for themselves, they won't be on our e-newsletter mailing list for future e-mails. (We promise!) Chris Donatelli CR, CKBR, CGBP