The International Surface Event was held during the third week of January at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. The event is the largest display of floor coverings, natural and engineered stone, and tile in the world. Architects and designers, builders and fabricators, retailers and distributors, general contractors and restoration professionals, and kitchen/bath specialists gather to explore the newest trends, the latest innovations, and the engineering marvels at this multi-indus...

 A super hot trend in 2016 was a portable bar cart. The cart offered homeowners the option to tuck away the cocktail ingredients when not entertaining. The glassware had to be stored elsewhere, the accessories another place. Gathering the party pieces took some time, and space was severely limited. Enter 2017’s upscale trend – a built in bar. This home upgrade brings everything needed for a posh party into one permanent and prominent space. It can be customized to a homeowner&rs...

One of the hottest trends in stone is marble. Rich and opulent, sleek and stylish, marble is becoming a must-have material in modern homes. Used in sculpture by the ancient Greeks and Romans for centuries, there is a timelessness to it that reads classic and elegant. With the resurgence of the popularity of natural materials, marble is a stunning stone option. We work with Virginia Marble, a regional company offering both natural stone (granite and marble) and cultured marble, which allows for c...

Many hours of our lives are spent in our laundry rooms – wash, dry, fold, and repeat. Doesn’t it make sense to make that space as inviting, functional, and relaxing as possible? Key facets to a functional laundry space: Storage – Having enough storage, in the right configurations, at the right height, with the right accessories makes all the difference. Cabinets to hold supplies, nooks and crannies for smaller items, and even a place for the bulky laundry basket are helpful add...

One of the rooms in a home that brings the most overall satisfaction to daily life is the master bathroom. While ultimately functional and practical, the hours spent in that space invite us to consider making it restful and spa-like, while adding value to the home at the same time. Five key trends in modern master bathroom design and remodeling: 1 – Simplicity. Clean lines continue to feature prominently in most modern bathroom design schemes. All at once elegant and classy, with intention...

In many ways, the kitchen is the heart of the home, the center of the action, and the hub of it all. Busy modern families use the kitchen for more than just food preparation. This space serves a myriad of other functions. Families want to be able to gather together around the table at the end of a busy day to share a meal, to connect after their hectic jobs and school days. They need a space to do homework and discuss bills. They require the ability to put away groceries efficiently, cook a heal...

Whether working in new construction or making updates to a home with the intent to make the property more desirable to potential buyers in the future, it is imperative to take note of the features most preferred by home buyers. In recent years, more and more homebuyers are desiring, and often demanding, eco-friendly and energy efficient living spaces. Ceiling Height: Years ago, the standard for ceiling height was 7’; later, 8’ became popular. The pendulum swung even farther for a c...

Building in one’s storage solutions is a plan well suited to those with a long-range vision, a clear idea of what they are trying to achieve, and with the understanding that these projects are generally not portable once installed. With a wide array of colors, a virtually unlimited toy box of components, and the overall ease that built-ins can add to life, it is easy to see that they are as popular as ever with today’s homeowner. Some ideas for bringing on the built-ins: Home libra...

For three days in mid-January, sunny Orlando will be the destination of choice for an estimated 37,000 kitchen and bath aficionados from around the world who will convene at the Orange County Convention Center to attend the annual Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS). Hosted by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), this trade show boasts 500 exhibiting companies covering 500,000 square feet of exhibition space, with interactive displays, keynote speakers, panel discussions, and insp...

As the days grow shorter and the leaves begin to change color, there is excitement in the air. Yes, all things pumpkin spice will be on the shelves, but even more exciting (truly!) is the fact that every color authority company in the world begins to unveil their picks for their Color of the Year for the new year. Ever wonder how they choose those colors? While each group has a different approach, most of them follow a collaborative process. Take a peek at this explanation from PPG on how they n...