Your go-to blogs if you want to learn about the "how-tos," "methods," "tips," and "trends" related to construction.

Photo: @jeadijeanfeldman via Lichelle Silvestry Interiors/IG

In a recent survey conducted by homes.com, realtors cited the master bedroom as the most sought-after feature when buying or selling a home. This indicates that potential buyers and sellers put a significant value on this particular room. Dee Allen of Century 21 Results Realty Services stated that a master bedroom on the ground floor is an attractive bonus for purchasers of any age.

We could not disagree further with Dee Allen. 

The bedroom is where we spend a third of our day. If you’re working from home, you have probably spent another third on it. Considering these preferences, we would like to share five perfectly laid out classy master bedroom designs that you can draw inspiration from for your custom home in the Tri-Cities. 

Have a look at the photos below and let us know which of these designs captivated you :).

Which among those classy master bedroom designs do you like the most for your custom home in the Tri-Cities? 

Do you need more designs? Let us know how we can help! Contact us today! 

See which among these master bedroom plans best fit your custom home!

See which among these master bedroom plans best fits your custom home!

5 Classy Master Bedroom Floor Plans for your Tri-Cities' home

Source: Kelly Ladwig - Nashville Realtor/IG

Making a great first impression is important, and your front entrance can do just that. Personalize the area with items that highlight your design aesthetics and represent who you are as a person. Doing so allows visitors to get an insight into your design sensibilities and know more about you. Get ideas from any of the following 5 front entrance styles for your single family home in British Columbia. 

Designed by Parasol Properties, this single family home’s entryway is a must-have front entrance, especially for those who have broad, idle yards. A lush and vibrant entryway gives an impressive experience to anyone walking in between it. Passing in a single family home with this front entrance will always be a walk to remember!

Aside from bermudagrass, the two sides of an empty and long pathway towards your single family home’s front door can be decorated with creeping thyme seeds or other plants you prefer. 

Source: High Tower Group/IG (left); Wall to wall Interiors/IG (right)

You're not Ali Baba, and you're certainly not trying to open a cave, but...

When you have a luxury home with an extravagant and fortified front entrance, saying the magical word "open sesame!" might feel like the right words to tell so you can enter the home.

Houses with a grand gatehouse consisting of two towers or bastions flanking a central gateway, with a high wall connecting the towers to create an enclosed space, are another way to level up any single-family home's front entrance. To doll up your front entrance, get inspiration from another Parasol property creation below.

This Spanish mission-style mansion from Florida features a smooth stucco finish, barrel roof tiles, arched entryways, windows, wrought iron works, and two sconces that are both dramatic and minimal at the same time.

Using rocks on walls–or more famously known as stone cladding installations are proven to be more durable and long-lasting than any walling materials. Aside from its protective effect, stone cladding makes wall surfaces distinct and aesthetically appealing. If you’re drawn to rocks, keep them rolling on your walls and see how it builds up an impressive front entrance like the one below.

The combination of stone cladding, vintage lamps, tinted windows, and timber door with sidelites and transom in this home’s front entrance makes an excellent vintage impression. Shop the look of this single-family home’s front entrance at Standard Building Supplies (with branches in Vancouver and Burnaby).  

Creating a Victorian-inspired foyer is also an excellent choice for enhancing your front entrance. Those who have single family homes in British Columbia can do this with the help of certified luxury home builders or general contractors who can remodel your home to add more Victorian-style features such as cathedral ceilings and light brown colored tiles mixed with striking patterns, colors, and shapes. Get inspired by checking the details of this single family home’s front entrance. 

A walk in this expansive Victorian space will give you an “old but gold” feeling. The combination of a chaise lounge, an old-fashioned sideboard, a lamp, a cathedral ceiling, dramatic flooring, and a wooden door with customized sidelites and transom imbues a Victorian ambiance that’s very unique and opulent.  

Photo: Certified Luxury Builders via Decoist

When talking about “grand” front entrances, this option would probably be the most popular on our list. Where else do we often see luxurious grand entrances aside from hotels? Hotels, particularly their lobbies, are among the best sources of inspiration if you want to make your front entrance as great as possible. Most hotel lobbies feature floor-to-ceiling windows, wrought-iron detailing, chandeliers, brass fixtures, and marble floors, making them appealing and exceptional. Witness how the mansion’s front entrance below includes features that make it look like an actual hotel.  

Richness in colors, bold geometrical patterns, and decadent detail work that brings in glamour, luxury, and order with symmetrical designs in exuberant shapes are the common features you can see in this single family home. These are features of the art-deco style that were mostly seen in the movie known for exhibiting great opulence, The Great Gatsby. If you like to display grandiosity, decor your front entrance with this style. 

Grand entryways have been quite popular in the last couple of years, and that trend will likely continue this year too. Make the most out of your home by following some of the design ideas we’ve provided on our blog. Ensure your home stands out and looks unique with these must-see modern front entrance ideas in 2023. 

Revamp the entryway leading to your front door or the area beyond it using any of these five attention-grabbing front entrance ideas with catchy titles you'll never forget

Must-see Modern Front Entrance Ideas in 2023

Putting together furnishings to form a luxurious kitchen is hard work, but it's also fascinating and worth the effort. You need to carefully consider every detail, including the appliances and layout. The selections you make are a big piece of the design and play a key role in achieving a particular aesthetic in the space. Each furnishings selected should come from carefully picked brands known for their aesthetic appeal and drive for luxury. They should also look beautiful whether they stand alone or in groups. But most importantly, the chosen furnishings should help bring out the beauty of the newly renovated kitchen.

Here are just a few of the luxury kitchen furnishing inspirations we thought you must see and consider for the kind of luxury kitchen you want to achieve.

Lacanche has been a household name for luxury kitchen stoves. Many high-end interior designers and general contractors opt to incorporate Lacanche stoves into their renovation projects because of their modern features and stylish look. Each Lacanche stove was designed to fit beautifully with stunning and expensive backsplash materials such as Calacatta, Carrara marbles, and granite backsplashes.

Lighting is essential in setting the tone of the room. The capacity of one’s room to look luxurious may sometimes depend on it. Therefore, upon selecting the right lighting pieces, luxury homeowners should consider its aesthetic appeal and capabilities to bring out the most beautiful version of the newly renovated kitchen. Lighting brands with these benefits are definitely one of the best picks. Try to check some from Circa lighting. They offer a wide selection of products made out of high-end materials that work well with any interior style.

3. Plant Pots by Sacha Lakic for Stayconcrete

Sacha Lakic is a well-renowned furniture designer, but his creativity is not limited to those must-haves living room pieces. He can create automotive designs and other products, such as designing beautiful plant pots. Those who want to incorporate Lakic’s pot creations into their luxury kitchens can use these designer plant pots at Stayconcrete. 

This year, we have seen a number of luxury kitchens that are inspired by art deco styles. Kitchen furnishings with styles that resemble opulence, beauty, and sophistication are proudly showcased by luxury homeowners who love to host extravagant gatherings inside their mansions. The fun and fad of such activities can be perfectly intensified through the use of extremely elegant stools, such as the Nº 11 Bar Stools by Boca do Lobo.

Luxury kitchens are always expected to combine kitchen furnishings with the highest-quality materials, leading-edge technologies, and top-of-the-line appliances. Some of the best picks can be explored at LaCanche, Circa Lighting, Sacha Lakic Creations, and Boca do Lobo. Combining creations from these selections may require the expertise and experience of high-end luxury renovators and contractors to ensure functionality and continuity of the chosen furnishings with the cabinetry and overall kitchen flow. 

 Each furnishings selected should come from carefully picked brands known for their aesthetic appeal and drive for luxury.

Designing a luxury kitchen requires expertise, passion, and, most importantly, inspiration. 

4 Kitchen Furnishing Inspirations from Well-Known Luxury Brands

Buying or renting a property in Tri-Cities is exciting because it is well-known for having one of the best neighborhoods in BC. If you are someone who has just bought a hand-down home, renovating it will probably be on your list. As we all know, embarking on renovation is challenging and costly. So, where do you start? The answer may depend on your budget, priorities, and goals but in case you want to work on your kitchen first, here are 10 kitchen trends to consider in your renovation plans. 

Open shelving has been one of the biggest kitchen trends in the past years. Collectors love this kind of cabinetry because they can easily display their special collections stylishly. Aside from curating the space beautifully, it allows one to easily access everyday kitchenware while giving the space a stylish feel. Those who love cooking will undoubtedly appreciate open shelving in the kitchen because they can easily see what they need without searching through a cluttered cupboard. Although it may not always be practical because of how dirty displays can get, open shelving will still be part of the 2023 trend because of its aesthetic appeal and function. 

Photo: the aCross designs/IG(left);Alma/IG (right)

White or neutral kitchens have always been a builder's and designer's favorite. They're calming, classy, and stunning. They can also complement any color accent, which makes them a standard for some builders and designers. However, over the past few years, designers have seen some trends– more colors are introduced as the main accent in one's kitchen. Some of those came from the shades of purple, blue and green. These bold and vivid colors are considered some of the hottest crazes because they produce an equally beautiful ambiance that homeowners love. 

Photo: SemiЯamis Moschovaki Design/IG(left); Kestrel Kitchens(right)

Based on some designers, traditional-style kitchens are making a comeback because they create warm and lived-in home environments. One of those styles is the county-style home interior, where antique and vintage furniture can be freely introduced into the space. To achieve this style, combine period-style lighting over your kitchen island, add a large larder cupboard on open shelves, and plan where to place your antiques. See the photos below for inspiration.   

Photo: Kitchen Architecture/IG(left); Kim/IG(right) 

In 2023, kitchens are expected to continuously maximize all possible lighting sources. Whether it comes from the sunlight that passes through the floor-to-ceiling windows, or the light that comes from various lighting sources inside one’s kitchen, all these sources should be appropriately incorporated to create a bright and airy kitchen feel. 

Photo: Keferlis Homedesign/IG(left); Andrea Dean/IG(right)

We used to think of the kitchen as spaces designated for meal preparation alone; however, the restrictions caused by the previous pandemic years changed the way we view our kitchens. The place slowly became a household favorite where families frequently gather to host celebrations. These social gatherings paved the way for introducing more dual kitchen islands where guests and family members could gather around while preparing or eating their meals. The installation of double kitchen islands and kitchen furnishings that boost family gatherings is expected to become more prevalent in 2023.  

The ever-changing condition of our climate has given birth to worldwide movements that have become more popular over the past fifty years. Some of the biggest businesses participated in those movements, and their efforts resulted in more investments in the field of research and development that focus on green technology and production. With such actions, creating home furnishings out of organic materials has become possible. If a homeowner wants to fully employ an all-green design in their kitchen interior, they can access them easily as more eco-friendly products are made available in the market. As these situations took place, people realized that employing eco-friendly designs is not as difficult as before. Hence, making organic products and greens designs even more popular and attractive in the eyes of more homeowners in the years to come.

In the future, kitchens are expected to become more personalized. Collection of art pieces, music, and various form of self-expression items are expected to have their own spot in one’s kitchen. Depending on the homeowners' personality, they could place eye-catching sculptures, paintings, plants, and whatever else they wanted. 

Designer backsplash resembles the style of the interiors from the roaring 20s–geometric patterns, opulence, and sophistication. However, these designer backsplashes are expected to come in heat and moisture-resistant wallpapers. You may also opt for beautifully-designed marble or quartz. These stones never go out of style and look incredibly beautiful in the art-deco kitchen interiors.

Photo: Melika Ghobadvand/IG(left); Maestri Studio/IG(right)

Adding metallics to your kitchen spice up its design. When paired with a white, black, or brown interior, the kitchen automatically levels up its appearance. Any kitchen furnishing with a touch of brass, copper, or gold creates a beautiful effect that makes them look more fancy and stunning These caused metallics to trend, and designers expect them to be seen in more kitchen renovations next year. 

Asymmetrical lighting is the last kitchen trend we like you to consider in your 2023 kitchen renovation plan. While symmetrical lighting is still seen and will continuously exist in most homes, asymmetrical fixtures are believed to become more popular as lighting technology and production advances. This type of lighting attracts designers because it produces comfortable light for the eyes. Aside from this benefit, asymmetrical lighting will be preferred because they now come with more stunning designs that could fit any kitchen space. 

Photo: Rima Traboulsi/IG(left); BauformatUSA/IG(right)

Kitchen renovation is expensive, so homeowners have to make every cent count. Incorporating the right kitchen trends that match their goals, priorities, and budget could greatly help. To maximize the benefit they could get from their home renovation plan, they should study each trend carefully, determine the cost and benefits of adding them to their renovation list and consult with trusted home renovators who can guide and help them throughout the process. 

Buying or renting a property in Tri-Cities is exciting because it is well-known for having one of the best neighborhoods in the BC. If you are someone who

Time to take a look at some of the biggest kitchen trends before finalizing your renovation plans. 

10 Kitchen Trends to Consider on your 2023 Renovation Plans

The kitchen backsplash plays a vital role in setting the mood of your kitchen. If you want a unique kitchen character, incorporate a bold and vivid backsplash. Try one with a striking pattern that complements the look of your kitchen. A tile is an excellent option for kitchen backsplash because it’s easy to clean and comes with a lot of options. However, you must be careful with the style of tiles you choose so that it will not contrast the overall look of your kitchen. Aside from tiles, there are many other materials you can choose from, and we will share some of the hottest kitchen backsplashes you must see before 2023.  

Natural stone is not a typical kitchen backsplash. We seldom see this kind of backsplash because it is risky to have them. Someone who desires to have them must deal with some of their unfriendly-design features--roughness, dullness, and installing it might consume a lot of time. It might take a lot of effort, but it might be worth it. The beautiful caramel-stoned backsplash above, designed by House of Jade, is one good example. It stands out beautifully, along with the blue-green cabinets and brass furnishings surrounding it. 

For those who are looking to have an eco-friendly interior, this backsplash is definitely a hot pick. 

Marble backsplashes are always one of the homeowner’s favorites. According to a report, marble topped the list as the most popular material this year. It went over last year's number one, which is natural stone. Marble Carrara is one of the most beautiful of its kind. It looks elegant and fits any kitchen style. 

Photo: Heidi Jean Feldman via Lichelle Silvestry Interiors

Hexagonal tiles also make a good kitchen backsplash, especially now because of the vast options available in the market. Each piece sold in the market is uniquely made, which allows you to pick the ones that fit your interior design preferences. One good example of it was the photo of the backsplash from Varelas Home Design. Each unique hexagon combined created an exquisite interior kitchen that looks appealing and lovely.

Statement slabs like the one above are another hot pick. The bold, magenta-colored veins of the marble fit perfectly with this kitchen's dark brown walls and cabinets. A backsplash meant to be a simple design became a fantastic display that made this kitchen amazing.

Would you like to see some continuity in your kitchen? 

You may consider integrating a backsplash material similar to the material you use for your countertop. But to successfully achieve this look, your countertop or kitchen island must be attached to your kitchen backsplash. Another consideration you have to take note of would be the cost of having them in your kitchen. Incorporating this style could be a little more expensive than other backsplash materials, so if you’re planning to have this type of kitchen backsplash, you might as well be ready for the cost. It will be worth it, though. Take, for example, the kitchen above. It is from a renovation project we made this year. The Cambria Skara Brae granite countertop above extends as this kitchen’s backsplash. Notice how this style makes the space look less like a kitchen. Clean-looking and it even made the space looks larger. It gave the space a high-end kitchen vibe. No wonder a lot of homeowners fall for this look!

Last on our list is the ceiling-height backsplash. Often we limit the backsplash to the space between the countertop and cabinet; however, the trend has constantly been changing, and now, more people are leaning towards a braver and bolder kitchen look that includes a wider backsplash. If you’re planning to have a ceiling-height backsplash, some things to consider are the color and style of your cabinets and drawers. For the materials, you can use any that fits the look of your kitchen. 

Every kitchen element is essential in creating a beautiful space. Sometimes we overlook some, one of them being backsplashes because, in the past, they used to occupy tiny spaces in most kitchens. However, since the trend is changing continuously, the area taken by backsplashes has become larger because most homeowners want them to be gorgeous and flashy. That said, maybe it's nigh time you consider yours too. 

Were you inspired to have some stones installed, or will you stick with the all-time crowd-favorite marble? Why not explore new trends? Try some hexagonal tiles! Or, have your countertop marble extended as your backsplash. Thinking and planning about these things excite most of us, aren't we? Envisioning new designs in our kitchen or at home will always be a lovely thing. 

Can you imagine how amazing it could feel if you saw these visions materializing before you? 

The kitchen backsplash plays a vital role in setting the mood of your kitchen. If you want a unique kitchen character, incorporate a bold 

Let's talk about a kitchen element we rarely think about. 

Hottest Kitchen Backsplash to see before 2023

Kitchen islands can define one’s kitchen. An oversized kitchen island could indicate a family’s desire to gather everyone around a broad table while dishes are being prepared. A kitchen island installed with a cabinet, a sink, an oven, a refrigerator, and a large kitchen hood could indicate a busy kitchen. On the other hand, a normal-looking kitchen island could indicate that the most common place for that family’s gathering is held somewhere else, or it could just demonstrate the family’s simplicity. Whatever definition they give to one’s kitchen, there’s one thing we would like you to keep in mind about kitchen islands, and that is they need to be functional and aesthetically pleasing at the same time. To help you achieve this, here are 10 different kitchen islands that look classy and stylish. 

The style of this Aster Cucine countertop gives this kitchen a futuristic feel. The combination of the island’s form, furnishings above the worktop, and stools design, plus the kitchen space accent and lighting, created the thrilling impression homeowners and guests will indeed look forward to.      

The sleek, deep-veined marble kitchen island, matched with elegant Hammerton lighting, is a statement to the already stunning living space above. It mirrors the backsplash of the neat and organized rear countertop of the open floor plan kitchen designed by Wells & Hewitt. 

The placement of the two rattan stools on this classic white kitchen island will surely turn mundane moments into exciting mornings. The worktop provides you with enough space for preparing breakfast while being soothed every time you get to sip your favorite cup of coffee. 

Photo: Jen Morley Burner and Susie Maddox Interiors via Kitchen Post Daily/IG

How far can you go for your passion? Well, the owner of the kitchen space above went far beyond expectation when they incorporated their favorite instrument into the shape of their piano-inspired kitchen island. Built by Classic Granite, this kitchen piece is not unique in form but even with the design of its worktop and sink that perfectly matched the navy blue cabinet and the overall cozy feel of the space. 

Photo: Copacabana White Granite via Classic Granite/IG

The European farmhouse kitchen is brightened not only by its white accent walls and cabinets but also by its chevron-patterned flooring, french-cut white oak ceiling, and generously-sized central wooden island table. The beautiful centerpiece on the top of the portable kitchen island adds character, creating a soft impression to the sturdy-looking table. 

Style, form, and function have been the designer’s priority in creating the two-toned, elegant kitchen island above. Guests will definitely enjoy the comfortable seating with the stylish brass stools because of the generous space created between the pillars and the recessed storage space. 

Photo: Orlando Home Photography via D&R Kitchen and Bath/IG

Everything in this Dieter Vander Velpen creation is adorable, but the bespoke, two-tiered countertop is my favorite. Being juxtaposed against the kitchen’s oak and bronze open cabinetry made it stand out even more, metaphorically telling its designer they did a great job placing it there. 

Photo: Patricia Goijens via Dieter Vander Velpen/IG

The creamy, custom kitchen above was created by Avenue Studio Architects and designed by Lowi Interiors, evoking a calming mood that homeowners will look forward to having. It was even intensified by the beautiful curves displayed by the space’s countertop. Definitely, a must-have design if you’re looking to renovate your kitchen next year with cost mitigation in mind. 

The L-shaped kitchen island above is cladded with a classic Calacatta Hera marble that levels up the kitchen's overall look. This type of countertop ideally fits a home with an abundant kitchen space as it takes much space but provides many ways for its people to bond with one another whenever an event is held at home. Aside from providing space for the family, it also functions well because it is completed with cabinets, a sink, and a worktop. It can also accommodate some more appliances.  

The look of this kitchen is showstopping –the flooring, the lighting, the walls, and the overall feel it gives the spectator. From this view, the countertop has proven that it deserves to be the home’s focal point as it helped bring out the space’s incomparable elegance. Even from afar, the delicate details of its white-fluted cladding are noticeable. A Mldodak interior design creation that could captivate every heart that beats for warmth, subtlety, and glamour. 

Which of the kitchen islands do you want to represent your kitchen? Will it be the ones that give you working space generously? Or the ones that bring out a cozy and bright mood that lighten up your mornings? Perhaps, the answer relies on the ones that fit your and your family’s needs the most and your resources. Consider your budget, living space, and the contractor you want to be part of your kitchen renovation journey. Only by then will you be able to have a kitchen island that’s functional and custom-made for you and your family’s needs.

Kitchen islands can define one’s kitchen. An oversized kitchen could indicate a family’s desire to gather everyone around a broad table while dishes are being prepared. 

How would you like your kitchen to be defined?

10 kitchen island designs that look classy and stylish

For some of us, the end of the year rings a renovation cue, while others find it as a signal to start learning about upcoming trends they can use as their renovation inspiration. Based on our data and engagements, most of you seemed interested in kitchen renovations. It’s not surprising at all because kitchen spaces are a big part of our daily routine. We spend our time there twice or thrice a day preparing meals for ourselves and family members. Maybe some of us even stay longer for various reasons relating to one's food business. Considering these things, it is only natural for some of us to desire home renovation once a year. That desire can materialize once you carefully take into consideration the furnishings that should be preserved and the ones that are not. Think about your kitchen cabinets, countertops, and dining table. Which among those kitchen furnishings would you like to serve as your kitchen/dining room’s focal point? For those who aim to direct the guest's attention to their kitchen cabinets, here are eight eye-catching kitchen cabinets which you can take inspiration from. 

Are you looking to have a soft and sleek Scandinavian kitchen? 

This pink-accent kitchen might be the inspiration you're looking for. The cooking and dining space is outfitted with stylish pink cabinets paired with a modern cooktop, and minimalist interior lighting. An elegant dining table and rattan chairs were also added, making it a perfect spot for chilling and unwinding while eating healthy homemade dishes with your gals. 

The garnet red accent of this kitchen is perfect for inspiring you to prepare delicious dishes for your family meal. The arrangement of the gas range and kitchen hood, the cabinet from Howdens, and the open cabinetry above the countertop are noticeably good, demonstrating form, style, and function simultaneously. 

Two-toned kitchen cabinets make this industrial kitchen a perfect inspiration for those who want to perform a major overhaul in their open floor planned-custom home. Have those brown and beige cabinets on your countertop and pair them with a modern Scandinavian dining table and seating for an ideal home gathering where the host can easily interact with their visitors while preparing a delightful dish for everyone. 

4. KITCHEN WITH A CARD ROOM GREEN CABINETRY

The overall look of this kitchen designed by Shape London is captivating. The classic marble worktop, antique brass hardware, and the card green kitchen cabinet by Armac Martin perfectly complemented each other producing a character that’s undeniably sophisticated. 

5. KITCHEN WITH BURNT TERRACOTTA CABINETRY

These phrases perfectly describe the kitchen inspiration above. The designer of this kitchen employed bright and bold burnt terracotta (2023 color of the year) and complemented it with other shades of orange, as well as lovely handmade crafts that look old yet fashionable. 

Go for stained cabinets if you aim to display a fresh and modern kitchen. Get inspiration from this high-end Parisian kitchen by Lichelle Silvestry. Her design seeks to preserve the balance between contemporary style and function as well as deliver a distinctly custom feel kitchen that is functional and current. To accomplish it, she thoughtfully planned this kitchen’s design along with the elements that will be used. 

A modern-looking kitchen that displayed timeless beauty through the combination of stained oak cabinetry, Corian countertops, and brass hardware.  

Photo: Heidi J Feldman via Lichelle Silvestry Interiors/IG

Everything in this kitchen from Athena Calderone looks breathtakingly beautiful. The combination of the navy blue cabinet, antique brass hardware, Coste glassware, and all the other furnishings you can see from this frame is thoughtfully created, turning dull cooking moments into a thrilling and IG-worthy dish-preparing moment like the ones created by Eyeswoon. 

According to Hill & Harbor Design + Build, green cabinets are quickly becoming a new favorite for interior design. We couldn't agree more as we included two shades of green on our list! :). If you also look up green kitchen inspirations on Instagram using the hashtags #greenkitchen and #greenkitchencabinets, you will see a lot of beautiful kitchen spaces with green accents. Aside from the card room green kitchen we mentioned a while ago, John Lewis of Hungerford's dark green kitchen design is another proof. A kitchen with gorgeous cabinetry paired with a stunning countertop and high-end kitchenware. 

Do you wanna feel like giving green a go?

Being drawn to creating a new version of your aesthetically pleasing kitchen once a year is a beautiful habit. It can help one's mind to be imaginative and inspired while preparing a sumptuous meal for your family. It can also make a person feel accomplished and, maybe, happier. 

If this is the case, maybe it's time for us to invest in this kind of happiness? If we do so, we can be happy, helping us become less susceptible to sickness and stress, thus, letting us achieve a healthier lifestyle and more comfortable home living. 

If more of us have those things, we can help build a beautiful and better community. We all want that atmosphere in Tri-Cities, right? 

The end of the year rings some renovation cue for some of us while serves as a signal for others to start seeking for design inspirations for their renovation goals. Based on our data and engagements, most of you seemed to be interested in 

Amazing kitchen interiors display kitchen cabinets with delicate designs. 

Every family aims to live comfortably and securely with their family members. This is the primary reason why they purchase a place they can “home” or have contractors build a customized version for themselves. 

While increasing the value of their home was not their ultimate goal, having such a plan can help them achieve it. Some strategies employed by most homeowners to increase their home’s value, particularly renovation, benefit their family members because it makes the home more cozy, livable, healthy, and safe. 

Are you wondering what types of home renovation increase a home’s value and, at the same time, provide comfort and security to family members? Allow us to provide you with some ideas: 

1. Renovations that make one’s home unique by installing tools or features the current market is looking for. 

When renovating your home, consider the trend. What type of home does the current market want? Do they want a wider home entrance? Bright and bold house paints? Accent walls? To be updated with the trend, check CHBA’s report. Based on their report for this year, here are some trending features you may want to consider to freshen up your Tri-Cities home. Design experts believe that some of these trends are here to stay. 

For the past few years, design experts have seen a growing trend for extravagant front entrances. This part of the home could give a good or bad impression about the overall look of your home. That’s why, if you're up for a home resale in the future, you better include this renovation in your list. 

Photo: heidijeanfeldman via Lichelle Silvestry Interiors /IG

Transom and sidelites with the right design can make your home’s exterior look classic, modern, or sophisticated. When your general contractor leverages them with your overall home exterior, your front entry can be transformed into the focal point for your home, and this could increase the demand for your home, especially when yours were designed like the photo above. :)

Homes with window walls or floor-to-ceiling windows always appear bright, energy-efficient, and modern. If you want your home to increase or retain its value, you may want to consider adding more window walls, especially if you are surrounded by beautiful outside views.

Photos: heidijeanfeldman via Lichelle Silvestry Interiors /IG

Since this home concept has been trending for some time, expect that converting your home into an open-concept floor plan will yield incredible results. Old houses with new and trending features appeal to those who want modern and fancy homes. According to some real estate experts, this type of home can increase the resale value of one’s home to as much as 15% more than homes divided with walls. The rate could even be higher if it is designed beautifully. 

Earthly materials (stone, wood, metallic accents)

When the earthly materials are decorated beautifully, like the Lichelle Silvestry Interiors creation above, the home will definitely look unique, lovable, and marketable. 

Due to the pandemic, the home office has become a vital part of one's home. Including a cozy, neat working space could attract buyers, especially those who work from home. 

Photo: heidijeanfeldman via Lichelle Silvestry Interiors/IG

2. Renovations that make the home energy efficient

Building Net Zero homes will soon be the "new standard" in home construction. Thus, if you're considering a home renovation, you may want to think about making it energy-efficient. Studies have shown that these types of homes (including ENERGY STAR-certified homes have better resale price premiums ranging from 2% - 8% in most markets. 

Imagine achieving a healthy lifestyle and, at the same increasing your home's value. This type of renovation is definitely a win-win for you and your family. 

The renovations we mentioned above can increase the value of your home. Which among them fits your preferences and goals? 

As a home renovation contractor, we hope you'll succeed in your next home renovation. If possible, conduct research about the detailed valuation of a property. This could help a lot in maximizing the value that could be generated from renovating your home. This effort can help you determine which upgrade or addition will yield the highest increase. For example, if you are considering a garage conversion, know first what the market says about it. The demand for it, the costs of doing it, and the capacity of your home to cater to it. According to an article, most homeowners spend around $10,000 to convert their garage into living space; however, the National Association of Home Builders survey revealed that home buyers preferred a "functional" garage to it being an extension of living space.

Another example would be a pool installation. The home's value may increase with this installation, but it couldn't be compared to the expenses incurred. Installing swimming pools could cost about $36,750  to  $70,500, including maintenance. 

While these renovations bring satisfaction to some extent, there are always much better renovations that could help families attain livability and security and, at the same time, increase the value of your Tri-Cities' home. 

Some strategies employed by most homeowners to increase their home’s value, particularly renovation, benefit their family members because it makes the home more cozy, livable, healthy, and safe.

There are certain home renovations that make your home beautiful and increase in value. 

Renovations that increase the value of your Tri-Cities home

The fireplace has been considered to be a vital part of one’s home. Historically, they were used for cooking and heating the water for laundry, but nowadays, the function of the fireplace is often limited to heating one’s home. 

Long before smartphones existed, the charm of a fireplace used to draw a lot of people closer to each other as they gathered around it to feel the heat it emitted. As soon as they sit all together around it, whatever happens during the day will not be left unsaid. While stories were shared, everyone who stayed will feel relaxed and mesmerized not only by the memories they shared but by the pleasant crackling sound of the burning logs that soothed the atmosphere. Upon looking back, families can’t help but relive how it became a safe haven for most of them.  Fireplaces used to be the heart of one’s home, and they can still be everyone’s favorite place today. See how you can make everyone at home gather again by redesigning your fireplace using the 9 modern industrial fireplace surrounds below.

Furniture made of wood always looks classic in one’s custom home but is it okay to incorporate them even in fireplaces? The answer is, 

As long as the model follows the provisions required by International Residential Code (IRC) which mainly talks about the space required between the fireplace and the combustibles.

Having this wooden modern industrial fireplace surround by Town and Country Luxury Fireplaces paired with a wooden hearth and decorative pieces of rustic-themed furnishings can definitely draw every household member’s attention. Set a schedule and invite them over a cup of tea, coffee, or a glass of wine with your favorite charticurie set, and have each one share a particular story or thought they would like to share with everyone else in the family. It could be thoughts about life, friendship, hobbies, school, work, or even business matters. Sharing such things could work out each one’s relationship making it deeper and ties, stronger.

Source: Town and Country Luxury Fireplaces/IG

Incorporating cabinets on your modern industrial fireplace cladding can give it a stunning look no one would expect.

The fireplace surround and cladding by Joseph Kasbar and Urban Fireplaces from Coquitlam reveal how carefully planned open shelvings can provide essence and substance to plain living room structures. 

Source: Josep Kasbar/IG (left); Urban Fireplaces (Coquitlam) /IG

Wallpaper is another great option to level up your modern industrial fireplace’s surround and cladding. You’ll have a lot of designs to choose from, and they can be replaced easily without spending a lot. Upon applying the wallpaper, just make sure to overlap them by at least 1/8" of the expected size because the wall may expand or contract over time, causing the wallpaper to shrink a little.

The geometric wallpaper pattern design for the fireplace cladding above is definitely a great addition to the cozy living room. 

If you think the first three options don’t fit your preference because of safety reasons, you may always go with fire-resistant modern industrial fireplace surround and cladding such as bricks, stones, and the like. These types of wall surround tend to be long-lasting and can be preserved over long periods of time. An example of this would be the d’Artagnan’s chimney from the castle of Castelmore, the home of the famous musketeer, Charles d’Artagnan. Those who have read Alexander Dumas’ novel, “The Three Musketeers” must have been familiar with d’Artagnan because his story is the inspiration behind the novel. Have a quick look at this real-life musketeer’s fireplace below.

A trip back in time: The traditional fireplaces of south-western France

Even after centuries, bricks and stones still have their beauty that could add more charm even to a modern industrial fireplace.

The overall look of this living room is fantastic and the bricks surrounding the modern industrial fireplace made it very striking and unique. 

The development of the Modern Industrial Fireplace paved the way for concrete to be an excellent addition to this list. With the right paint color and setup, simple concrete can make your fireplace surround look awesome.

Designed by Urban Fireplaces, the white(left) and gray(right) concrete cladding of the modern industrial fireplaces above made the home even sleeker and inviting, making it a perfect spot for family gatherings.

Whether it be a countertop, flooring, or walls, premium stones such as marble and granite always bring these home features to a higher level of luxury. Incorporating them into your fireplace surround could result in the same thing. If you feel like gathering your household together with a more hotel-like feel, having them on your fireplace spot may help you achieve that vibe.

The white marble fireplace surround above levels up the living room of this luxury home making the space extra inviting. 

Log compartments attached to a modern industrial fireplace cladding are eccentric. I’ve never two with the same version. Each has its feature, even if all logs look the same. Having that kind of unique feeling could definitely keep everyone looking for that vibe making every family member gather together every once in a while.

The dried and neat logs filled the log compartments of the modern industrial fireplace cladding above by Urban Fireplaces. If you’re from the Burnaby, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam and Port Moody, the nearest place where you can buy logs is at  Infinity Firewood Sales & Delivery or Firewood Vancouver. 

TIP: If you aim to use this style as inspiration, always ensure that the logs are fully dry, clean, insect, and mold-free.

Shiplap is a type of wooden board in the form of horizontal planks commonly seen as the exterior siding of the construction residences, barns, sheds, and outbuildings. It can also be seen in home interiors–as walls, flooring, ceiling, and fireplace claddings.

The modern industrial fireplace above by Madison Alcaz is painted white, while the mantel seems to have retained its original color creating a totally different and interesting fireplace look. 

Whether you opt for a plain fireplace surround or a decorative one, tiles are definitely a great choice. They have a wide range of color options, designs, shapes, and materials that could help you maximize the design of your fireplace so it could bring that ultimate comfort your family member craves every time they go home.

The tiled fireplace surround has bold geometric patterns that are carried down to the hearth creating a striking statement everyone would not doubt to take a 2nd glance at as it helps them warm themselves during the frigid winter season. 

Burnaby and Tri-Cities area homes a lot of tile suppliers that can help you get the best pieces of tile for your modern industrial fireplace surrounds. City Tile branches from Port Coquitlam and Burnaby offer a wide variety of tiles, which can help you get the best if you decide to cover your fireplace wall with decorative tiles.

Began reliving the memories by making your fireplace space everyone’s favorite spot again. Renovate it to incorporate your desire to bring your family together every once in a while. Desire it to be a beautiful place where you can continue creating memories and building stronger family ties no one could ever break.

Fireplaces used to be the heart of one’s home, and they can still be everyone’s favorite place today. 

Good fireplace surround can protect someone but the best ones can make one’s fireplace’ stay lovelier and more memorable. 

9 Modern Industrial Fireplace Surrounds and Cladding

Some minutes had passed since midnight, and I was scrolling through my Facebook feed when I saw a post that hit me hard–the video of a man’s encounter with his younger self who used to dream about his college graduation four years ago. The man in his black toga smiled at his 2018 self while One Direction’s “just how fast the night changes” was played in the background. 

Things happened so fast, not just to the young man but to all of us. 

Adulting hits us really hard. Instead of celebrating simple successes, we celebrate significant milestones–a friend’s wedding, pregnancy, business or promotion, and many more. These celebrations often draw us to come together in one place where we hold parties and surprises. That “one place” could sometimes refer to a newly built condominium or nearby private resort that looks modern and clean. While decorated differently, these places seem to have some similarities; one of them is their blonde wood flooring. "Blonde wood floors" simply refers to light-colored wood floors. Nowadays, the usage of these type of wood floors are not only limited to condominiums and room resorts; a lot of custom homes constructed in the previous years were also built with blonde wood floorings too. This type of flooring is a popular pick among homeowners and interior designers because it has many advantages–which you may find suitable for your custom home too. To find out if it does, read on to know the 4 reasons why blonde wood flooring is good for your custom home. 

1. It makes custom home spaces appear bigger. 

The lighter end of the color spectrum helps create an illusion of a larger space. Since blonde is part of it, opting for wood flooring with this color can instantly make your custom home space appear bigger. Its impact will even be effective when you opt for larger planks.

Photo:  Layered Home & Living (Coquitlam)/IG

Photo: Layered Home & Living (Coquitlam)/IG

Whether you want your home to be embellished with a rustic style, chic, contemporary, Scandinavian, or farmhouse style, blonde wood flooring can match all of them effortlessly. It also fits well with custom homes with open floor plans too. The light and airy feeling homeowners with open floor plans enjoy is heavily influenced by their blonde wood flooring. 

Blonde wood flooring also looks good with any paint color and different types of decoration because it works like a blank canvas. Depending on what you want to achieve for your custom home, blonde wood flooring may bring a more relaxed vibe, especially when paired with blues and grays. Meanwhile, if you want your flooring to provide a warm and inviting atmosphere, match it with cream or earth-tone palettes.  

We always want to ensure our homes are always clean to make them look presentable and keep all our households safe and healthy. However, there will be times when you will get so busy preventing you from cleaning your house. This could be frustrating, especially when you see dust and dirt everywhere. To lower the chance of this problem from occurring, use blonde wood flooring in case you’re planning to build or renovate your custom home. Its light tone keeps dust and dirt from being seen by our naked eye. With blonde wood flooring, you won’t have to spend as much time mopping, dusting, and vacuuming your floors.

Blonde wood flooring can help increase a home's value. Based on reports, hardwood floors can increase a home's value by 3-5%. Others even say that hardwood yields as high as 75% as a return on investment. If you're someone who plans to sell your house in the future or renovate it for selling purposes, installing hardwood floors, particularly blonde wood, can make your goal easier to achieve, especially now that they have been in demand. What's more interesting is that some experts even believed that blonde wood flooring would thrive in the years to come.  

Blonde wood floorings do a lot. It makes your custom home spaces appear bigger, complements whatever home style you have in mind, keeps you from cleaning from time to time, and contributes a lot to increasing your home’s value. Aside from these reasons, you can probably discover more. 

Enjoy all these benefits by replacing your current flooring with blonde wood if you don’t have one. It is cost-effective, especially when you want a brighter look for your custom home. It can also be done quickly and efficiently, depending on your home's size and the team you will be working with. Here are samples from us and our partner, Capella. 

Notice how every area, particularly the most complicated spaces, was done–evenly distributed, gap-free and smooth. When the client saw the finished work, they were delighted and commended our construction manager for doing the job fast and efficiently. 

Were you planning to give blonde wood flooring a chance to brighten up your single family home too? The right general or home renovation contractors can definitely do it for you. 

This type of flooring is a popular pick among homeowners and interior designers because it has many advantages–which you may find suitable for your custom home too. To find out if it does, read on to know the 4 reasons why a blonde wood flooring is good for your 

Blonde woods are back and they are probably back for good. 

4 reasons why blonde wood flooring is good for your custom home

During construction, homeowners often focus on the details of their primary and secondary rooms, living room, kitchen, and comfort room--which is totally unquestionable because these are areas where they spend most of their time. However, notice that there are areas of the house that weren't mentioned. Those sections are the basement, attic, and laundry room. Some homeowners tend to neglect the designs of these areas, particularly the basement and attic, because they rarely visit those places, and that's totally understandable. The laundry room, on the other hand, is different. For sure, every household spends a couple of time in this place. It might not be longer than the time spent in the living room or bedroom, but a significant amount of time is still spent there. Therefore, to make that time worthwhile, the laundry room must be installed with exciting pieces of art or decorated with creativity aside from just installing washing machines, hanging racks, and open cabinets. Laundry rooms must not only be functional, but they must also be sleek and interesting at the same time. 

We understand that it might be pretty arbitrary, so we prepared eleven laundry room makeover inspirations for different types of spaces. Have a look at the designs before this year ends and see which one fits your space and taste perfectly. 

Chic and elegant. Any laundry area with this type of style brings out the kind of beauty that will definitely be loved and appreciated. To get started with this type of style, go all out with white and glossy materials. 

Any high-gloss material makes the laundry room easy to clean and imbibe a bigger room feel that lightens up the laundry burden so easily.

Get inspired by Toni Robert’s white laundry room below. 

Her fresh laundry space is completed with white cabinetries, an island countertop, a pendant lamp, and a glossy chequered flooring that produces a bright and inviting atmosphere. 

When you have limited space for your laundry, the best way to keep it interesting is to make it a little cozy. Bring in earth-toned furnishings and lighting that cast a classy hotel-like vibe. When you do this, you will not mind staying in your small laundry space all day. 

The two small laundry rooms above were outfitted with earth-toned cabinets and biophilic furnishings such as woven baskets and interior plants that contribute greatly to making the space feel soft and soothing. 

The colors of the sky and ocean are also a good way to keep your laundry room from being gloomy and uninteresting. The palette of teal, in particular, is one of the best options if you want to give it a go. 

The laundry room above from Arquitetura & Design is completed with teal cabinets with a very smart arrangement.  Some of these cabinets are filled with laundry baskets specifically placed for each family member to help keep track of their own laundry. 

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