What is ONYX made of?

Here is a little information on our chemistry:

63% of our products is a hydrate crystal–Al2O3+3H2O. Alumina is also the main ingredient in Corian and all “solid surface” products. The main ingredient in our product (alumina trihydrate) is in roofing materials and the plastics inside automobiles to slow flame spread and as a smoke retardant. It is in the plastic coating on the wiring in your home (in a much smaller percentage).

Our other 37% is a special polyester resin we developed over the last 25 plus years (and continue to improve) to get the properties which allow us to say “Yes, Guaranteed Forever”.

All manufacturers try to get properties which make products work best for their applications. Our application is the bathroom. We believe our resin serves this purpose well. Corian uses acrylic resin, others use various blends of polyesters and acrylics. We prefer our resin for our products and it serves us well.

We use cultured marble type molds to cast our products. The solid surface industry casts sheet goods and fabricates their products. The cultured marble industry uses calcium carbonate as their main ingredient.

Our product does have a gelcoat on the surface (about 15 mils) similar to cultured marble. Our Gelcoat is ISO-NPG polymer. ISO-NPG gelcoat is a tight molecule–very resistant to water penetration.

Our products are real hybrids.

K2 Bath is proud to use this fabulous product. Call us today to schedule an in-home consultation with one of our designers! www.k2bathdesign.com

What would a professional bathroom re-modeler do with your bathroom?

If they are good they will have years of experience as a bathroom re-modeler and be able to suggest creative ways to use new and traditional products, layout and design to achieve the look and functionality you want. Here are just a few ideas:
• Get a great look that’s also a great value. Hand-painted porcelain tiles, for example, are a beautiful choice for a bathroom. Re-modelers love to work with them, but they may take up too much of your total budget, especially if you’re remodeling a large bathroom. Often, however, there are very fine alternatives that can satisfy your design concept by giving you the same look and coloring of high-end materials. You can also design the bathroom to use the more expensive materials as an accent so that you still get the “wow” factor.

• Splurge a little. It’s true that you might not necessarily need “extras” like a steam shower or a towel warming drawer, but you may find that these luxuries create a pampering, spa-like environment that you enjoy day after day.
• Design for how you really live. Quiet, luxurious soaking tubs seem to be replacing the noisier Jacuzzi’s as the first choice for today’s bath lovers. But while soaking tubs tend to be smaller than Jacuzzi’s, they still take up considerable floor space. The question to ask yourself before you reflexively install a tub when remodeling is will you use it. For many people – including many older couples – the answer is “no.” If that’s the case, why install both a tub and a shower? Instead, you might consider saving the space (and money) you’d spend on a tub – or using that same budget to enjoy a larger, more luxurious shower with seats, a no barrier design and extra room for storage. If you are remodeling with resale as a high priority, you may wish to include a tub in your plans even if you don’t plan on using it yourself. However, you might not have the tub in your bathroom.

• Think universal design. No matter how young and fit you are, a bathroom designed for safety and effortless access will be a smart investment. If you’re older, features such as walk-in tubs can let you enjoy baths without worrying about climbing in and out of a traditional tub. Curbless showers are another good feature. A good bathroom re-modeler can integrate grab bars, good lighting, non-slippery floors, and other universal design features beautifully into any style of bathroom so that you can enjoy your home longer while still being safer from slips and falls.
There are many more ideas that our professional designers can share with you. Some of the best bathroom design ideas come from simply looking at what other people have done. Here is a small sampling of our work. If any of these bathroom ideas interest you we would be happy to integrate them into your project. Please fill out the conversion form on the right and we will set up a free bathroom design consultation right away. Be sure to scroll down and read some of our client testimonials as well!

Addicted to DYI???

I love DIY. I’m completely awful at it, but as I’m thrifty I’d much rather do something myself than pay someone else more to do it. But here’s the rub. You can end up costing yourself more in the long run by doing it yourself. So, I scoured the web looking for the obvious and not-so-obvious mistakes DIY addicts make and compiled this list.

Mistake #1 – Cheap tools, no tools, the wrong tools

You can start a job thinking you have all the right equipment, but hammering a nail in with the back of your shoe ain’t gonna cut it. Neither is that nifty saw you got in the $1 store with less teeth than your old gran. Do yourself a favor. If you’re going to DIY, buy quality tools like the pros, and research your job fully so you have all the right tools for the particular job at hand.

Mistake #2 – The Superman (or Wonder woman) syndrome

You ever meet one of those people who could do everything better than you? They’re the same people who think they can build an entire house in one weekend with no help from anyone else. This is known as working beyond your scope. If you can’t do plumbing, don’t do plumbing. If you’re rotten with heights, avoid the roof. Don’t think that you can stand on tiptoes on the top rung of a rickety old ladder and think you’ll always be safe. One day you’ll be telling your DIY story in the E.R. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, ladder mishaps land over 164,000 people in the Emergency Room each year. So, if electrical work happens to be your Kryptonite, steer clear.

Mistake #3 – “Permits? What Permits?”

Permits aren’t there to just be a pain in your butt. They have a real purpose, and it’s in your best interest. Those folks in the permit office are there to make sure the job is done right and that you don’t go hurting yourself or anyone else. They also ensure that when you do an improvement, your insurance carrier has the necessary paperwork to keep you covered. Don’t quite know if you need one? Well, unless you’re just giving a lick of paint or new layer of paper to the guest room, chances are you’ll need one. If in any doubt, call your local building department.

Mistake #4 – Saving a few too many bucks on materials

Like you know, I love a bargain. But make sure you know where to draw the line. ¼ inch drywall may save you a fortune, but it’s about as effective as a pair of curtains for soundproofing. You’ll need ¾ inch for a good sound barrier. And flooring is the same story. ¾ plywood is your best friend when it comes to keep the noise down and giving you a strong foundation. So, crack open the piggy bank. Do the job once, do it right and do it with quality materials. (Of course, if you can haggle over the cost of those materials, you’re being a true Wise Bread shopper…go for it).

Mistake #5 – Ummmmm, that’s close enough

I know it’s not exactly original, but I never forgot it. “Measure twice, cut once.” And you know what I’m talking about if you’ve ever cut anything to length only to realize that you measured at 18 ¼ instead of 18 3/4 . Bang. Your money is down the drain. So, always, always err on the side of making something a bit too long. It’s much easier to cut down than build up. So, remember. Measure twice, cut once on anything from drywall to plumbing pipes and crown molding.

Mistake #6 – Duct tape for life

In my short life thus far I’ve done the occasional plumbing repair with duct tape. It’s handy stuff. But it’s not a repair, it merely buys you a little time. If you’re walking out of the door to catch a flight for your two weeks in Hawaii, duct tape could very well save your bacon. But it’s NOT permanent. It WILL leak, as sure as night follows day. So, get it fixed as soon as you possibly can. And if plumbing is not your thing, get a pro to do it. Water damage can cost thousands and thousands of dollars in repairs.

Mistake #7 – Rushing the prep work before painting

When I first started painting my house, I jumped straight in. Yippee. But I spent more time cleaning up my many mistakes, spills, drips, runs and shoddy lines than I did painting. Do yourself a favor, do the prep. Clean your walls, patch up holes with good filler, and use a good painter’s tape for windows, doors, ceiling lines and anything else that you don’t want paint on. Lay down a good quality tarp that you can use again, and set a primer on oil-based paint or dark walls you’re painting a lighter color. You’ll thank yourself later.

Mistake #8 – Any paint will do

Sorry, it won’t. You don’t want a flat paint on anything other than a ceiling (put it in a kid’s room and watch what happens when you try scrubbing off the crayon and marker pen). Go for eggshell or satin finishes on interior walls, they can resist a lot of washing. Exterior paint is clearly marked and weatherproof. And for your deck, use a linseed-oil-based stain. Unlike clear sealers (which don’t block UV rays) the linseed stains drive the pigment deep into the wood and preserve it.

Mistake #9 – What could possibly go wrong?

How about everything? Safety is essential when working on any DIY project and even if you look like a dope, you need to wear the right equipment. Safety goggles are vital when you operate power tools, and hard hats are equally as important when working under scaffolding. If you’re painting or using harsh chemicals, open a window or two to keep the area well ventilated. If you’re a big fan of those baggy carpenter jeans and old, loose t-shirts, you may want to re-think them. Loose clothing can get caught up in power tools and machinery and the results are none too pretty. Of course, wear a good pair of gloves for carrying wood, metal, rock or anything else sharp or abrasive. If you’re in the basement, follow the safety rules regarding spiders and other dangerous critters (here in Colorado, Black Widows and Brown Recluses love basements…and one bite can do major damage).

Mistake #10 – A little knowledge is a dangerous thing

A lot of folks just dive right in on home projects. They’ve seen a Bob Villa show or two, they rented a book from the library and they think they’re good to go. That is until the new addition collapses under their feet. Don’t start on your own projects by yourself, and don’t start big. If you know someone who happens to be good at this stuff, tag along. They’ll be happy for the extra pair of hands on their own project and you’re getting valuable experience. Places like Lowes and The Home Depot offer workshops. Take them, they’re fun and educational. And when you eventually do start you own little remodeling project, listen to the voice of reason. If you really don’t feel 100% sure about what you’re doing, step back. You don’t want to knock through a supporting wall and end up in traction.

So, those are the big 10, in my humble opinion. If you want to save a lot of time, blood, sweat, tears and a LOT of money…please I beg of you…hire a professional to do it.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Penny Saved is a Penny Earned!

Here are some tips

for some extra ca$h!!!

Time and time again, we hear homeowners  tell us that they just cannot afford to remodel their bathroom. Let’s face it! It’s a tough economy we are living in and if there is anything that we have embraced now more than ever from those that have lived before us is that “a penny saved, is a penny earned”. Here are some really easy ways to start saving money for that dream bathroom that you have always wanted. If you start doing even 10 of these tips on a regular basis, you may be surprised how quickly your savings account will thank you.

1. Cook at home often: If both the husband and wife work, this is likely to be very difficult. Start out with the habit of cooking at home once a week and slowly increase the frequency until you find a balance between saving money and getting stressed out. Another option would be to crock pot it the night before…and plug it in as you walk out the door. You will come home to the aroma of cooked dinner waiting for you!

2. Make your own coffee: Everyone seems to have heard of the latte factor. Even though the author may have overestimated the savings from skipping a latte at Starbucks, don’t underestimate the ding it puts in your pocket in the long run. You don’t have to entirely ban drinking coffee, but skip it as often as possible unless you make it at home. Set up your coffee the night before so that when you wake up you are greeted by the smell of fresh coffee in the morning.

3. Brown bag lunch at least a few days a week: Lunch times are great opportunities to network and make connections that could improve your career growth. So unless there is a common eating area for brown baggers, you may choose to limit brown bagging lunch to three days each week. Find a balance between saving some money and making the connection. In my case, I take my lunch with me 2-3 times a week and eat out the rest of the time. Believe it or not, this is a great way to shed the pounds as well! Bet your bottom dollar you lose 10 pounds in the first month.

4. Make a list before going shopping: They call it impulse buying for a reason. Humans simply have a very tough time resisting the temptation to purchase extras while shopping. Without a list you will buy items that you simply do not need. Even worse is when your forget to purchase the actual item you came to the store for in the first place. If you plan on cooking at home, pre-plan a rough menu and make a list before you go grocery shopping. Getting all that you need in one trip can help avoid another unnecessary trip and temptation.

5. Set your bank account up to automatically withdraw $125 per month: In addition to your own “deposits” into your savings account, having that automatic withdraw set up will push you to save just a tiny bit more then you would on  your own. If it’s taken out without you knowing it first hand, it’s almost as though it was never even there! Takes the pain factor out of it a little bit, and the pay back is HUGE when you check your savings and find you are doing much better then you thought!

6. Watch out for expiration dates on perishable goods: This one seems intuitive when you read it, but I am surprised at how many people do not pay attention to expiry dates. No point getting a gallon of milk if it is going to turn sour with a couple of days. Same goes for meat, eggs, yogurt, spreads, frozen items, deli/bakery items etc. Some people say you can use a few items a few days after expiry – but I personally value my health more than money and would rather avoid buying such items in the first place.

7. Buy in bulk whenever possible: When it comes to non-perishable items, buy in bulk whenever you find something on sale. The items I usually stock up on are, cereals, tinned goods, rice, beans, pasta, coke, toothpaste, body wash, shampoo, toilet paper etc. For such items, shopping at warehouse stores like Costco, Sam’s Club etc can save you quite a bit of money, provided you stick strictly to your shopping list when you shop at these places.

8. Buy generic products whenever possible: Does it really matter whether your cereal is made by Kellogg’s or is the store brand? Does it matter if your milk is Oak Farms or the store brand? For a few things (like soda in particular), I prefer brand name products. For others, I do not mind generic store brands if they can save me money. Find what works for you and switch to generic brands for at least a part of your grocery list.

9. Use grocery store bags to line trash cans: This may not work if you use a massive trash can but we use a small sized one for which the grocery bags are a perfect fit. This not only helps us save some money, but reduces our environmental foot print and avoids the kitchen from stinking from a huge overflowing trash can.

10. Consolidate and pay off debt as soon as possible: If you carry any debt, focus on consolidating it to a lower interest and paying it off as soon as possible. Money paid in interest is money thrown away! Why spend your hard-earned cash to make the financial institutions rich?

11. Pay your bills on time and avoid late fees: Get organized about your regular bills. If possible, automate the payments. Most utilities and other recurring bills can be set to be charged to a credit card or deducted from a checking account these days. Also, many banks offer free bill pay programs. So there really is no excuse for forgetting to pay a bill on time and forking out the late fees. Say, by chance you do forget a bill, if you are a first time offender, call the company and request politely to waive the late fees, and more likely than not, they will oblige.

12. Be aware of your bank balance and avoid over draft fees: If you use your checking account often or have some bills that are paid automatically from your checking account, be aware of the balance and avoid overdraft fees.

13. Avoid ATM fees: Be aware of the ATM withdrawal fees charged by your bank. While some banks waive fees for all ATM transactions on any ATM machine, most don’t. So be sure to use only those ATM machines where your bank will not charge the fees, or withdraw directly at your bank.

14. Avoid credit cards with annual fee: Credit cards with their cash back bonuses and reward points are a great way to save some money. Just make sure that the card does not charge you any annual fees! There is no dearth of cards that offer fee-free reward plans, so there really is no reason to pay the annual fees.

15. Disconnect land line if possible: Unless you have small kids in the house or older people to take care of, it is more than likely that you will be able to survive with only the mobile phones and can get rid of the land line. We have survived without any problems for over 4 years now with out a land line. Our Internet comes via cable.

16. Instead of buying books, borrow books from the library: Whenever possible, borrow your books instead of buying them. The card to your public library is free and the libraries are generally well stocked. In my city, the chain of public libraries is connected and the available books can be checked online. If there is some book that I cannot find in my local branch, I can make a request online for it to be brought in from one of the other branches to mine which is very convenient.

17. If you have to buy books, check if you can buy it used: Used books do not quite give the same feeling as leafing through the crisp pages of a brand new book. But considering that you can get used books for almost as much as half the price of a new book, it is a small price to pay. My favorite place to buy used books is a local chain called “Half Price Book Store”. Check if you have something similar in your city. For text books, look online on bulletin boards, mailing lists etc, and price compare on websites like addall.com.

18. Price check before buying anything expensive: For other items that are expensive, do a price check before buying the item. If you can wait for a while you can track the prices and grab a great deal when it comes along. Frequently available online coupons make it even more easy to save some money. This is especially true while purchasing any electronics.

19. Avoid impulse buying: Make it a habit to avoid impulse buying. Many of the things you want to buy do not seem all that necessary, if you only you wait for a day or two. Also, waiting means you will be able to check prices and make an informed decision to buy it at the best possible price.

20. Bottle your own water: Drinking water is good for your health. I always make it a habit to keep some at my desk at all times. Bottled water is the most convenient since it can provide protection against accidental spills. That said, buy bottled water only once in a while, and then reuse that bottle to fill your own water. If you are not happy with tap water, invest in a Brita Filter – in the long run it can save a lot of money.

21. Avoid the vending machines: Almost everything that is dispensed via vending machines has a huge markup (and is rarely healthy). However, if you suffer from snack attacks at work, consider creating a secret stash of snacks. If you like drinking soda and have a fridge at the workplace, save a refrigerator pack in the fridge with a post-it with your name on it. If you have a long commute, consider a stash for the car as well and avoid a quick drive-thru visit.

22. Keep your car as long as possible: When possible, try to keep your car as long as possible. Find the balance between the money spent on repairs versus the monthly installment on another vehicle and choose to run your old car as long as the repair costs are low.

23. Do regular scheduled maintenance on your vehicles: Do not skimp on or forget to do regular oil changes. Remember to check the air in your tires often. And use the grade of fuel that the owner’s manual recommends. These small acts can significantly lengthen the life of your car, giving you years of use.

24. Avoid buying a new car: When you eventually buy a car, see if you can make do with a pre-owned vehicle. A new car depreciates significantly the moment you drive it out the dealership. Is the new car small really worth thousands of dollars? Pre-owned cars that are only a few years old with low mileage are the best bargains. Regardless of the purchase, learn to negotiate with car dealers.

25. Ride your bike or carpool whenever possible: In many of the cities in the US it is hard to get by without a car. That said, just because you have a car does not mean you have to use it every day. Whenever possible, ride your bike or share a ride with a colleague or spouse and save both on gas and reduce the environmental footprint.

26. If you watch a lot of DVDs, get an online DVD store membership: Membership to online movie stores like Netflix or Blockbuster Online can save you a lot of money compared to buying DVDs or renting it from a local store. You need to wait once you order the movie, but if you watch a lot of movies at home, then you can easily get into the habit of ordering ahead of time so you always have something at home. If you are patient and your library has the resources, check to see if they have a movie section. You won’t get anything very new, but they are free.

27. If you like watching movies at the theater, go before 6:00 pm: This is one of our soft spots when it comes to spending. We really like watching movies in the theater with the big screen and the great sound effects. But instead of paying ~$10 a pop for the ticket, we usually go before 6:00pm when the tickets are a little less expensive. Also, for movies that we don’t absolutely want to watch right away, we just wait until it screens on the discount theater where the tickets are $2 a pop. We avoid the temptation to buy snacks, by usually going for a theater some time soon after our lunch or sometimes sneaking in our own snacks in the purse.

28. Regulate your electric use: When not in use, unplug electric appliances. Apparently, unplugging the TV instead of just switching it off can save a lot of electricity! When not in a room, switch off the lights and the fan. Use a programmable thermostat to control your A/C and heater usage. If that’s too much, at least know what each appliance uses and unplug a few of them.

29. Plan vacations ahead of time: Vacations are a necessary part of saving our sanity in the busy lives that we lead. But vacations are also a huge drain on the family finances. You can cut the cost of a vacation significantly by planning and booking ahead of time. Bookmark travel sites for finding inexpensive airfare, hotel etc., and book at least two weeks in advance.

30. Finally, keep distance from lavish, high-roller friends: If you have lavish friends who buy a new car every other year (or worse still, lease it), have large screen TVs and every other conceivable electronics gadget, eat out at fancy restaurants every other night and just live way beyond their means, keep the distance. They may be nice people and mean you no harm, but hanging out with such people often can lead to a lot of unnecessary desires and discontent. What’s more important – your friends or your peace of mind?

It may be tempting to tackle your next renovation or remodeling project on your own. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to get in over your head. Hiring a professional is the best way to protect yourself and get the job done right. Here are 10 great reasons to hire a contractor for your next remodeling project:

1. They keep it legal.

Minneapolis contractors such as K2 Bath Design can handle all aspects of obtaining permits and will ensure that your project complies with current building codes. If you decide to sell your home in the future, having all renovations up to construction code will greatly benefit the inspection and appraisal process.

2. There is a long list of things you don’t do well; this is one of them.
An experienced contractor will direct the ballet like choreography of a well executed renovation, on-site and sometimes on-call troubleshooting will take away the worry and stress of managing your project.  There are way more moving parts than you realize.

3. Knowledge and Experience; you don’t have any!
Hiring a solid firm owned and operated by true construction professionals is the only way to make sure that your remodel or renovation is completed by competent and skilled people with the technical knowledge to get your project done right the first time.  No project that has to be done twice will ever save you any money.  Almost every home owner insists on learning this the hard way.

4. Trends.
Bathroom remodeling trends are unique; the right contractor will help you with access to an experienced design staff.  It is unlikely that Johnny Bucket-o-Nails and Timmy the One Man Band will be able to keep you current with the latest trends.

5. Experienced Shoppers
Good contractors know how to choose the proper materials in the proper quantities. They may also receive discounts that aren’t available to the individual. You for the valuable services a contractor provides, but there is a great deal of savings on the construction materials to offset the cost of hiring a contractor.

6. Free Estimates or Exact Pricing?
K2 Bath Design is committed to making this a comfortable and relaxed process for everyone involved.  We have the experience to give our customers a guaranteed price in writing.  Most contractors take advantage of the fact that by law they can leverage a change order up to 20% of the original contract price and the homeowner has no recourse.  At K2 we don’t estimate, we price your project.  This is the truest sign of professionalism, a complete understanding of one’s products and industry.

7. The Right Tools for the Job.
Home improvement professionals come armed with an arsenal of tools and equipment needed for the job. This saves the homeowner form the hidden costs associated with having to rent or buy the tools necessary to complete the project.  I have never met a homeowner in the course of regular business who has even 25% of the necessary tools to complete a well executed total bathroom remodel.  DIY in the bathroom is good for TV, but rarely turns out well in the real world.

8.Responsibility
Contractors are responsible for supervising all workers and handling all problems. Your contractor will also keep your project on schedule and ensure timely completion of your remodel or renovation. Our motto is “K2 Quick!” and our goal is to complete your remodel in one week!

9 Insurance.
In the rare event that something goes wrong, your contractor has insurance to handle it. This means no insurance headaches or hassles for you.

10. Peace of mind.
Hiring a professional means that you can relax while someone else does the heavy lifting for you.  We can do it, you can watch.

Lavender Bathroom

In this highly stressful and fast paced world that we live in today, it is absolutely essential to have a peaceful haven of tranquility and relaxation. The bathroom, being a space that we all make use of every single day, is an ideal location to try and establish an environment of calmness. Due to of the pressure of the outside world, and the soothing, relaxing effect of hot water and hot bathing, many people today use the bathroom for a lot more than just its primary purpose. Often people come home stressed and with tension, and use the bathroom to unwind.  Which is why the soothing quality of lavender colors and odors are perfect additions to the bathroom.   When deciding on the possible type and style of the decorations to be used in the bathroom, you need to take due care and consideration in defining exactly what your likes and dislikes are. The most important purchases are obviously the major, more expensive ones. Take your time and meet with a design consultant who can help you think through the project and make sure you get it right the first time! The most expensive way to remodel you bathroom is twice! When it comes to accessories and décor, you needn’t have the same worries.  It is never sensible, however, to throw money away, so a bit of careful consideration given at this stage still makes sense. If you think that lavender is the right color choice for you, do take some time and browse pictures of lavender colored bathrooms online. It is always best to let the thought percolate for a while before taking the plunge.

It doesn’t make any difference whether you have a larger home or a smaller home, your bathroom is one room that you should always invest in.  This is the first place you go when you wake up, and the last place you go before turning in for a night of restful sleep. Ladies, wouldn’t you love double sinks and a place to sit down and put on your make-up? Gentleman, admit that a nice big spacious shower or perhaps a private “throne” of your own is something you have dreamed about for years. You deserve to be greeted by granite counters, oak cabinets, beautiful fixtures and a big beautiful spa quality walk in shower!  In addition to the self spoiling factor, remodeling your bathroom gives you an instant 80% to 90% return on investment should you ever decide to sell your home. Let’s state the obvious shall we? The real estate market is brutal right now. Selling your home is a chore these days but a nicely remodeled bathroom could very well be the difference between buyers choosing your home verses the house down the street from you. Whether you are considering a partial upgrade or a complete overhaul, a bathroom remodel is one of the most valuable investments you can make in your home!

Watch this video to learn why K2 Bath Design is the best choice for you!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Modern and Sleek Bathroom Design

Perhaps you have always desired a more beautiful bathroom, but had no idea what kind of design you wanted? Here are ten of the the most popular design trends for 2011. We would LOVE to come by and talk with you about doing any one of these features.

1. Spa features. Many homeowners we work with enjoy soaking and whirlpool tubs, showers with multiple jets, special heating units, multiple sinks, versatile lighting, media equipment and other luxury items in their master bathrooms. Amenities can also include a walk-in closet, exercise equipment, a coffee maker or even a fireplace.
2. Heated floors. Central New York mornings and evenings can be very cold. Heated floors add comfort to bathrooms and the heating units can be installed under tile or laminate flooring.
3. Furniture style cabinetry, vanities and accent pieces. The National Kitchen and Bath Association’s Inspiration Gallery shows a number of bathrooms with furniture style cabinetry and accent pieces, Furniture style cabinets work well in powder rooms and are also elegant additions in master bathrooms.
4. Walk-in showers. Walk-in in showers can be a room within a room or can occupy a corner space of a bathroom. They can be equipped with a traditional showerhead, a hand held spray or multiple. Many homeowners are replacing tubs with deluxe showers.
5. Stone flooring and wall accents. Natural stone and pebble flooring is a hot trend in bathroom design. Porcelain tile and laminates are also made to replicate natural stone and offer a cost-effective option if you like the look.
6. Shower seats. Shower seats are great for storing bathroom essentials like soaps and hair care products but they also provide support for an individual who cannot stand in a shower an a place to sit for a relaxing shower experience.
7. Safety accessories. Stylish grab bars located in tub and shower areas are designed to appear as though they are towel bars and will support an adult’s weight up to 350 lbs. Consider “Universal Design” features when planning your bathroom.
8. Water efficient faucets and toilets. Most water consumption in a home occurs in the bathroom. Save on water bills and help the environment by installing low volume toilets and efficient faucets.
9. Granite vanity and counter surfaces. Granite continues to be favored among homeowners for its beauty and durability. Not only is it being used in bathrooms on vanities but it is also used with tubs. If your budget is limited consider using new granite look laminate products.
10. Natural lighting. Think about adding a skylight or sun tunnel to your bathroom space. Natural lighting not only illuminates the space but is great if you want to grow plants in the room.
11. Go “Green”. Install a solar water heater to save on your energy bills and to be eco-friendly.
12. Add decorative faucets and hardware. Personalize your space by choosing from hundreds of decorative products designed for bathroom.

K2 Bath Design Website

I just got a stack of the most beautiful yard signs you could ever imagine – full color, breathtaking graphics and my of course, my blue rubber duck poised to proudly perch and observe the tranquility of a suburban spring!

If Only: by Chad Kerrison

Come walkers.  Come joggers.   Come rollerblades alike.  Come children on scooters on big wheels and trikes.  Cars slowly rolling – pulling paper and pen or thumbing the digits and longing for when…  For when you can start transforming my palace, I promise my Mr. be absent of malice.  Bring your samples, your tools, crew and trailer.  I just saw your sign and have set aside your mailer.  15% off the room, bath and dream!  I can’t hardly wait for my sister will scream.  We’ll all run to tell them how this bath became mine and it to think it all started with this beautiful sign.

The signs arrived at my office two weeks ago.  My spirits had crested in the moments that followed the completion of their design.  I imagined that the act of planting them into the ground in front of each of my customer’s homes would be the equivalent of an immigrant homesteader wearily and victoriously claiming his lot.  But lately I’ve been staring at them wondering exactly how they were going to get distributed.  The pervasive conclusion has continued to be some variation of, “can’t someone else do it?”  The wave has crashed.  My exuberance and enthusiasm to promote has waned and the challenge of delivering them to all four quadrants of the Twin Cities weighs heavy.  A long day awaits…

I pumped myself up.  “Yard signs are a must in our industry, commit to success everyday!”  It’s not by coincidence that every remodeler on the planet puts a sign in their customer’s yard.  They proclaim to the neighborhood, that for the foreseeable future this lot is mine!  There is a certain romance in the action.  I arrived at the first of 12 homes around 9 am and I felt the pride of being a business owner swell up inside me as I parked my car.  I imagined that each neighboring house had a peeker at the window curiously monitoring my movements.  I gracefully pulled the first sign out of my trunk, held it at arm’s length to examine its brilliance and satisfy the prying eyes of my onlookers.  I blew on the surface of the graphics to sweep away the minor debris left behind by the printer’s saw and fished the wire stand out from under my golf clubs.  As I approached the yard I chose a perfect sun drenched piece of real estate in the wood chipped landscaping and brought the fluted polypropylene sign in line with its stand…

The only way to truly convey the frustration that ensued is with melodrama (which you should be used to by now if you’ve stayed with me this long) and metaphor.  Imagine for a moment you’re back in high school on your way to play your first varsity baseball game.  Your glove is oiled, your batting gloves are brand new, the buttons of your jersey are tucked in line with your fly and the bill of your new hat has been meticulously massaged into the perfect Torii Hunter curve and positioned purposefully off center to let everyone know you mean business.  You’re ready.  And as you pull up to the field and grab your spikes out of back seat, you realize that the laces are missing!

You’re a problem solver.  This won’t get the best of you.  You grab the power supply for your laptop and attempt to lace your shoes with a cord that is twice the diameter of your spikes eyelets.  (Creative and senseless, the perfect metaphor) Ugh!!!!!!  Warm ups are starting and the serene satisfaction of finally getting a shot to play varsity ball is replaced by dire frustration and a sneaky irritation that feels almost like shame.

This ridiculousness of this effort and the self-consciousness associated with said ridiculousness would have been overshadowed by my attempts to insert the stand for my yard signs into the plastic flutes.  I should also mention, the insane effort required to plunge the sign not only through the cedar mulch, but also through the muslin mesh underneath it and the several inches of bedrock just below that.  Awkward body positions, painful paper cuts and internal irateness were the touchstones of this pride swallowing siege.  I could feel the neighbor’s eyes bearing down upon me, grappling for some logical explanation for the debacle they were witnessing.  The holes were too small!  The mounting posts were too flexible, parallel was not possible.  It was special torture.  The snapshot in time seemed eternal.  I desperately wanted to quit.  Alas, the day did come to a conclusion and all the signs found a home, but I had serious doubts as to whether or not it would be worth the effort.  About six hour later my friends, I had completed my task.  There was a certain satisfaction for sure, but mostly I wanted to burn the rest of the signs I had back at the office.

“Never again!” I proclaimed.

That’s when I received a text message from a friend with the following picture attached.  Not even a full day after the signs hit the yards had the fruits of my labor ripened.   I proudly responded to my good buddy Brady Monty Fredrick Kosen; “K2 is everywhere my friend.”  With my pride and resolve restored, I turned to the next challenge determined as ever.  High Tide, Let’s Go!

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