SPECIAL SECTION : Spring Home Renovation Guide
Kitchen — Wake up to your favorite morning beverage without drowsily scooping and pouring . A smart coffee maker can make the right amount of coffee at just the right time through simple settings on your smartphone .
Family Room — Cue the movie setting with dimmed lights , blinds lowered and the TV powered on . Hosting a party ? Count on your custom entertaining setup with lighting in all your guest-friendly rooms , lively music playing on your whole-home sound system and a lower temperature to keep things cool as the party heats up .
Bathroom Upgrades for Style
Makeover ideas to spruce up a small bathroom or plan a full renovation .
Home upgrades are all about adding comfort , convenience and beauty , and the bathroom is no exception . It may be the smallest room in the house , but these ideas for enhancing the most functional features of your bathroom are sure to make a big impact .
Whether your goal is a spa-like oasis or simply bringing a new level of sophistication to this all-important room in your house , there are a few key areas to focus your attention .
Sink : More than just a bowl for capturing water when you wash or brush , the sink can actually be a statement piece within your bathroom . More traditional options range from decorative selfrimming to sleek undermount styles , while vessels in all shapes , sizes and materials lend an artistic flair . Wall-mounted sinks reflect a trend toward floating vanities and today ’ s pedestals are anything but boring .
Toilet : Keeping a sparkling clean bathroom is now easier with the new American Standard ActiClean self-cleaning toilet , which also offers stylish design and affordability . The ActiClean combines the power of revolutionary VorMax flushing technology with a fully integrated selfcleaning system , eliminating the need for in-bowl or in-tank cleaning solutions . A convenient flip-up door on the tank ’ s top houses the control panel for the cleaning system , which is activated at the user ’ s touch for a one-minute Quick Clean or 10-minute Deep Clean cycle . The toilet tank and bowl feature EverClean , a permanent finish that inhibits the growth of stain and odor-causing bacteria , mold , and mildew on the surface to help the toilet stay cleaner longer . The system , which operates on four AA alkaline batteries , runs independently from the normal toilet-flushing operation , meaning the toilet will always flush , even if the cleaning cartridge or batteries have run out . Additional features include a slowclose lid and anti-slip bumpers that lock the seat in place .
Tub : Few people will argue that nothing beats a long soak in a warm tub . Now , the bathtub ’ s appearance and special features can be specially tailored to satisfy your personal preferences . Extra-deep , extra-wide , with and without jets , freestanding or integrated into the architecture — the possibilities are nearly endless . Keep access in mind when you choose your style ; don ’ t select a tub so deep it ’ s difficult to climb in and out , and remember practical considerations like bathing children .
Floor : Because it offers broad aesthetic appeal and it ’ s relatively easy to keep clean , tile flooring is a top choice for bathrooms . Not only can you add style with the color and texture of the tile , you can take your flooring to even greater levels with special patterns and designs . Another flooring enhancement — heated coils that run below the surface to keep cool tile warm and cozy when it ’ s cold outside .
Storage : While aesthetic appeal is important , a bathroom without sufficient storage space is truly lacking in function . Be sure your design includes a place to keep essentials like towels and personal grooming items . Whether your storage space blends in or stands out is entirely up to you ; some vanities actually look more like stylish furniture , and open shelving is a popular choice for a modern space .
With the wide range of options available , it ’ s easy to create a bathroom that delivers the perfect combination of style and function .
Smart , Stylish Designs for Outdoor Kitchens
Kitchens are moving outside and are expected to be a top design trend in 2017 .
An outdoor kitchen can greatly improve the value of a home , and it brings family and friends together . Whether it ’ s having your neighbors
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Cranberry | Spring 2017 | icmags . com 29